If you enjoy gardening and are looking for a way to give back to your community, then becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) may be just the thing for you. Beginning in February, Perry and Morgan Extension will be offering Master Gardener training. This program provides intensive training in horticulture to interested Ohio residents who then volunteer their time assisting with educational programs and activities for residents through their local OSU Extension county office. Volunteers are not required to have gardening skills or knowledge. However, a passion for learning about gardening and sharing this knowledge with others is a must!

   The training process to become a MGV requires participation in a class one Wednesday a week for six weeks beginning February 14th, with most classes being held at the Riecker bldg. room 325 in McConnelsville. Classes will begin at 9:00 am and run until 3:30pm.  Volunteers are trained in consumer horticulture, including topics like annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, soil, botany, turf, insects, diseases and more. After receiving over 40 hours of education, each MGV intern must complete 50 hours of service to OSU to become a fully certified MGV. The fee for the training is $60 and covers the cost of the training manual, additional resource material, lunch, and snacks. To volunteer for any OSU Extension program, you must complete an online background check and an interview with Extension professionals. For more information and an application, contact the Morgan Co. Extension office at 740-963-4854 or the Perry Co. Extension office at 740-743-1602.