Aug 24, 2015 2 min read

Penn State Extension in Fayette, Washington, and Greene counties is accepting applications for the 2015-16 Penn State Master Gardener program.

The program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others. Informational meetings will begin in September. Weekly classes will begin in October and end in March. Classes will be held at the local extension offices in each of the counties.

After completion of the classes, candidates must agree to volunteer 50 hours to the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program during the first year. In subsequent years, 20 hours of volunteer time and 10 hours of continuing education are required.

Master Gardener volunteer activities include monitoring pollinator gardens, consulting on various public gardens throughout the counties, answering garden-related questions on the Garden Hotline, planting flowers at the county fairs and teaching about plants in the schools. There is a program fee to cover the cost of training materials and expenses. Applications are being accepted through September.

Those who are interested should contact their local Master Gardener coordinators follows:

• Greene County – Cheryl Brendel, 724-627-3745 or cyb5296@psu.edu.

• Washington County – Laura Delach, 724-228-6881 or lkd10@psu.edu.

• Fayette County – Valerie Sesler, 724-438-0111 or vvs2@psu.edu.