The next Master Gardener class for Angelina County is slated to begin Thursday, Jan 7, 2016.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Angelina County is now taking applications for its next Master Gardener volunteer training class.
Master Gardeners are volunteers for the local Extension office who are involved in a number of community activities related to beautification and horticultural education.
Training to become a Master Gardener volunteer is conducted by AgriLife Extension and this will be 16th year for the Angelina County Master Gardener program. Currently there are more than 27 certified Master Gardener volunteers in the Angelina County Master Gardener program.
Classes will start Thursday, Jan 7 and are conducted from 1–4 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday until mid-March. Most classes will be at the AgriLife Extension offices, located next to the Angelina Farmers Market at 2201 S. Medford Drive. Other classes will be from visiting professors at the Overton Research Station and a few field trips.
Master Gardener classes address topics ranging from plant growth and development to plant diseases, insects, soils, and basic landscaping and garden design. The course is intended to expose those interested to a broad range of horticultural and gardening subject matter.
The course is not intended to develop mastery of horticultural principles. We are looking for people who want to learn about gardening and enjoy helping others.
Individuals completing the training become certified Master Gardeners, assisting AgriLife Extension through community education in horticulture. Volunteer hours may be applied to a variety of approved projects discussed during training.
Interns completing classroom training and passing the final exam will be required to complete a minimum of 70 hours of volunteer service toward youth and/or adult education outreach their first year, and 20 hours annually thereafter.
A registration fee of $150 is payable in full on the first day of class. When the first year’s volunteer service is met, half of those funds are returned to the students.
Applications are available online at http://angelina-tx.tamu.edu/. Click on Publications then Master Gardeners, and you will find the application there. If unable to submit the application by email, the completed application can be printed and faxed to Cary Sims at 936.634.6427 or mailed to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Attn: Cary Sims, 2201 S. Medford Dr. Lufkin, 75901.
Acceptance to the class is based on the person’s willingness to volunteer and the completeness of their application. Master Gardeners support the community by providing information and advice on gardening and landscaping, providing technical assistance, supporting the local green industry, and being involved in a variety of horticulture-related community service projects.
Submission of the application is not automatic acceptance into the class.
A background check is required on all applicants participating in the Master Gardener program and will be done on the first day of class.
