PENN STATE

The Penn State Extension Master Gardener program in Lehigh and Northampton Counties will be training a new class of volunteers this fall.

The program provides 40 hours of horticultural training for citizens that have an interest in gardening, a willingness to learn more and a strong desire to make a difference by volunteering in the community.

The new training program will begin on Oct. 18 and continue on subsequent Thursdays from 6-9 P.M. through March 2019.

Classes will be held at the Penn State Lehigh Valley Campus in Center Valley.

After training, volunteers are able to engage in a number of projects in the Lehigh Valley to promote garden-based education for adults and children.

Examples of gardening projects and programs include designing and installing demonstration pollinator gardens, working in community gardens, giving garden topic talks; manning Master Gardener booth at various venues and organizing educational workshops that address such topics as composting, invasive plants, and vegetable gardening.

An information session will be held 6-9 p.m. Aug. 9 at Penn State Lehigh Valley, 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley.

During this meeting they will give an overview of Penn State Extension and the Master Gardener program.

Those interested in this volunteer program should call 610-391-9840 to receive an application packet.