Would you like to share your passion for growing with like-minded gardeners or improve your knowledge to become one of the most skilled gardeners in Butler County?

If you have the time, we have the program for you. Penn State Cooperative Extension in Butler County is planning a Master Gardener training course. To apply to be a part of the Master Gardener Class of 2010, all you need is a genuine interest in gardening.

The purpose of the program is two-fold. First, this is your opportunity to learn more about successful gardening of all types. Second, we can better serve Butler County by having skilled gardeners available to help teach others.

During the first part of the program, you learn more about gardening, and in hands-on sessions, you will learn the basics of horticulture.

The second half of the program consists of you sharing what you have learned through volunteer service. To complete the certification of a Master Gardener, participants are asked to spend 50 hours of time devoted to working in support of Penn State Extension home horticulture programs.

There are many ways you can spend these volunteer hours. You can choose to answer garden questions phoned in to the Greenline, you can conduct gardening clinics and presentations for community groups, or you can write news articles relating to hot garden topics. Volunteers also have worked with youth projects and written a home gardener's newsletter.

The Butler County Master Gardener group has been growing and needs volunteers who like to write and who have organizational and presentation skills. The Butler County group also maintains several gardens throughout the county which are always in need of help.

After completing the training and volunteer work, you will be awarded a Master Gardener certificate from Penn State University. As you continue in the Master Gardener program, there will be additional training and volunteer opportunities available.

The classes will begin in October and end in March. Butler County's classes will be held at the Penn State Extension Office at the Sunnyview Complex, beginning Oct. 1. Classes will continue to be on successive Thursdays, with one all-day session scheduled for a Saturday in November. Classes will break shortly before Thanksgiving and then resume on Thursdays, starting Jan. 14.

With the exception of one all-day Saturday session, classes will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. We will need a minimum of 10 participants to proceed with the class.

The Master Gardener training course is a complete basic horticulture course and requires a commitment on your part. Interested individuals are asked to complete an application, take a test to determine their current level of horticulture knowledge and participate in an interview.

Applicant interviews will be conducted Sept. 12 at the Butler County Extension Office. Anyone who submits an application is expected to attend this meeting to be considered for the program. Once you are accepted into the program, it is vital you attend all classes and workshops. The cost is $175. This fee covers training materials, a comprehensive manual, which you will receive, speaker fees and participant costs.

If you enjoy gardening and want to meet and help others who share your passion, why not become a Master Gardener? Contact the Butler County Extension office at 724-287-4761 for more information and an application. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 28. Contact the office today for an application or go to the Butler County Master Gardener Web site at http://butler.extension.psu.edu/ to download an application packet.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.