YORK, Pa. –Do you love to share your gardening knowledge to help others be more successful gardeners? Then you might be interested in the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program. Penn State Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by Penn State Extension who assist Extension staff in providing and expanding its educational programs in consumer horticulture.
Informational meetings about this year’s Master Gardener classes are scheduled for March 31 from 3pm to 5pm and April 7, 3pm to 5pm. at the York County Extension office, 2401 Pleasant Valley Rd, York, PA. Interested applicants should register for one of these sessions. Please preregister with Kelly at 717-840-7408.
At this meeting, you will receive an introduction to Penn State Extension and the Penn State Master Gardener program in York County. The information session lasts about one hour. If you wish to continue in the selection process, you will be asked to stay and take a multiple-choice test of your gardening knowledge.
The selection process also includes an individual interview in late April. If accepted into the program, there is a fee of $200.00 to cover your Master Gardener manual, training expenses, and other program expenses. Once training begins, the fee is nonrefundable if you choose not to continue. Penn State programs are open to all, and assistance may be available in cases of financial or other hardship.
This year’s basic training classes will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Classes begin August 11 and end on December 8. Classes will be held at the York County Extension Office and Lancaster Farm and Home Center.
Following successful completion of training, Master Gardener apprentices begin participating in Extension-approved volunteer activities to meet the 50 hours of volunteer service required to receive certification. Our mission is education, and Penn State Master Gardeners volunteer for youth programs, demonstration gardens, garden hotline, plant sales, gardening workshops, garden tours, and more.
For more information about the Penn State Master Gardener program in York County please visit our website at http://extension.psu.edu/york.
–Penn State Extension