Perhaps you've seen the signs. "Gardeners Select Trial Garden." Then, underneath, in smaller letters, "A Penn State Master Gardener Project."

Maybe you were lucky enough to wander through the Spring Garden Market at the Succop Conservancy in Penn Township, buy a couple plants to try out or attend a seminar.

You may have enjoyed the flowers at the Mars Library or called the Green Line to find out what to do about spots on your tomatoes or striped bugs in your Russian sage.

What's the story? Who's behind these projects? Who answers the Green Line?

The Master Gardener program started in 1972 in Seattle. There, the King County extension agent was losing the battle to keep up with answering calls from county residents needing help with gardening problems.

He and the extension plant pathologist decided if they were going to assist King County gardeners, they couldn't do it alone. Together, they developed the plans for the Master Gardener program.

Help turned out to be a corps of volunteers trained to assist the cooperative extension office regulars in meeting the public demand for gardening answers.

Today, more than 50,000 Master Gardener volunteers have completed training in 49 states, Washington D.C. and three Canadian provinces.

Pennsylvania's program was initiated in 1980 after the vice president of the Clearfield County Extension Executive Committee happened across an article describing the Seattle project and began to make inquiries about starting a similar program in this state.

The first Penn State Master Gardeners finished their training in 1982. In 2003, 2,800 active Master Gardeners volunteered in 58 Pennsylvania counties.

Butler County Master Gardeners work on many different kinds of gardens and gardening education projects. They provide speakers for local groups and evaluate the performance of plants.The most visible projects are the Spring Garden Market and the Butler Farm Show exhibit.Eileen Stroup, current chairwoman, has been working with the farm show exhibit since becoming a Master Gardener in 2002. Eileen was recruited at the farm show and couldn't wait to serve on the farm show committee."There's no better way to spend a hot summer evening," Stroup said.The 2005 Master Gardener Farm Show exhibit marked Stroup's third year as chair. Asked why she accepted such a daunting job, Stroup says, "I like to be in charge of things. I've always been a manager, crew chief, supervisor and now I run a company. But chairing a Master Gardener event is quite different."The volunteer force is full of talented individuals who really enjoy working together. It is so fun to call around and ask for help on a project because everyone is so willing. Just try getting the same response when you ask your children for help," she said.This year's farm show theme was "Pennsylvania Native Plants." The exhibit was designed to help gardeners recognize which native plants are good candidates for their own gardens.Also identified were plants introduced for a variety of beneficial reasons; plants that have turned out to be disastrous to native habitats.Cases in point include purple loosestrife, multi-flora roses and Japanese knotweed. Introduced plants, unchecked by conditions of their original home, have become invasive nuisances, destroying native plants and habitats.The farm show exhibit highlighted the importance of purchasing native plants from reputable dealers and never transplanting from the wild.Work on choosing the exhibit theme begins early. And, it's a decision everyone agrees on.Stroup comes up with a number of choices and discusses the pros and cons of each with committee members before a final decision is made. The theme must be both eye-catching and informative.First, the exhibit needs to draw passing visitors in and second, those visitors need to walk away with new knowledge. Last year, the Master Gardeners gave away plant markers and collected seed - a successful campaign that was continued this year.The purpose of the farm show exhibit is to provide information for farm show visitors, but that hasn't stopped Stroup and the committee members from learning a few things along the way.Things they've learned? Milkweed seedpod should be opened only inside a HazMat booth. It can contaminate a kitchen in nanoseconds.Another lesson? Keeping late season bloomers looking perky despite the lack of sunlight in the farm show building is possible, but requires a Ph.D. in patience and perseverance.Consider becoming a Master Gardener yourself. You might decide to work with the farm show exhibit, one of the trial gardens or maybe you have an idea for an educational garden in your neighborhood.It doesn't matter if you like being in charge like Stroup or would rather work solo. There are opportunities for everyone.In addition to working with plants, you'll have a chance to be creative and draw on previously unused talents. Share your passion for gardening with others who are just as enthusiastic.For an application, call the Penn State Extension office at 724-287-4761. The deadline for applications for the 2005-06 class is Sept 9.Susan Struthers of Evans City is a Master Gardener with the Penn State Master Gardener program.