The Carroll County Master Gardeners have extended the deadline to register for the Fall Training class to Sept. 11.
The 40-hour training course will be held weekly, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. over five weeks at the Carroll Electric Community Room, starting Oct. 22 and ending Nov. 19. An online version of the training is also available.
The cost is $100 for in-person training and $150 for online training, which includes 40 hours of training and the official Master Gardener handbook. A limited number of half-off scholarships are available.
During the 40-hour training, trainees will learn about introductory botany, soils and fertilizers, pest control, and pesticide use. Additionally, there will be classes on landscape design, vegetable and fruit gardening, annuals and perennials and other topics of interest to homemakers. Each new Master Gardener is also paired with a mentor in their county.
“Our mentors are what set this volunteer program apart from others,” said Regina Hooten, CCMG President. “They provide guidance to new gardeners and help answer questions.”
Volunteerism plays a vital role in many Cooperative Extension Service programs, including the Master Gardener program. After completing their training, new members are required to perform 40 hours of volunteer service in their first year. To retain their membership, they must complete 20 hours of education and 20 hours of community service each year.
“Communities across Arkansas have benefited greatly from the Master Gardeners,” Rexwinkle said. “The Carroll County Master Gardeners have sanctioned gardens at the Berryville and Green Forest Libraries and at Little Eureka Park.”
You will also see the Master Gardeners assisting the Horticulture Department at the Carroll County Fair. The Carroll County Master Gardeners currently have 25 active members and are always looking for gardening enthusiasts who would like to join.
To learn more about the upcoming Master Gardener training course or to pick up an application, contact Monty Rexwinkle at the Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service, or to learn more about the Master Gardeners, visit the website at www.uaex.uada. edu/master-gardeners or ccmastergardener. com or call 870-423-2958.
