Would you like to become a Master Gardener?

The Carver/Scott Master Gardener Program of the University of Minnesota Extension Service is now accepting applications for interns for the year 2009.

The Master Gardener title doesn't mean that you know more about gardening than your neighbor, or that you somehow have mastered the art of growing prize-winning tomatoes or dahlias. Master Gardener is a title conferred by the University of Minnesota Extension Service to men and women who have fulfilled two requirements:

1) They have successfully completed 50 hours of Master Gardener classroom instruction in horticulture;

2) They have contributed a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer time within their county the first year, and a minimum of 25 hours annually thereafter.

The Master Gardener Program utilizes volunteers to assist people and their communities through gardening information, education, and activities.

Master Gardener activities in Carver and Scott County are combined. Presently, the two counties have 100 active volunteers.

Regular volunteer activities include answering phone inquiries on home horticulture, teaching classes and workshops, writing newsletters and newspaper columns, diagnosing plant insects and diseases at yard and garden help desks, and staffing answer booths at fairs and public gardens.

The Carver/Scott group meets once a month and typically hears a presentation by an outside expert on some aspect of horticulture. During the growing season, they go on tours to arboretums, prairies, garden centers or other horticultural points of interest.

Core course training is held in January in the metro area, with classes taught by University Extension personnel. Training in 2009 will be held at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, with classes scheduled three days per week. A tuition fee is charged to cover costs for all class reference materials and handouts.

To learn more, call your county extension office (952-466-5300 in Carver, 952-492-5410 in Scott). Requests for applications for the 2009 program must be received by Sept. 15.