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 with an interest in gardening, a willingness to learn and a strong desire to make a difference by volunteering in the community.

The new training program will begin Oct. 18 and continue Thursdays 6-9 p.m. through March 2019 at the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus, 2809 Saucon Valley Road, 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 and manning Master Gardener booths at various venues and organizing educational workshops.

An information session will be held 6-9 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Center Valley campus.

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.