Penn State Offering Master Gardener Class

Do you have a strong interest in gardening? Are you a life-long learner? Do you want to help others and share your gardening enthusiasm and knowledge? Then consider becoming a Penn State Extension Master Gardener.

Penn State Extension in Blair County is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 Penn State Master Gardener program. This 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.

Weekly classes start Oct. 1, 2020, and end March 4, 2020. Classes will be held weekly on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Due to restrictions of the pandemic, classes will be held virtually via Zoom.

After completion of the instructional 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 were required. Volunteer activities currently carried out by the Master Gardeners include maintenance and education in demonstration gardens, consultations on public gardens, answering garden related questions on the Garden Hotline, and teaching about horticulture in the schools, among others.

There is a program fee to cover the cost of training materials and expenses.

Applications are being accepted through Sept. 18, 2020, with interviews being scheduled for the week of Sept 21.

If interested, persons may apply online at: https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6G6ufvCSprhfGZf