We are members of the local community who are willing to learn and help others and are able to communicate with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. Our mission is to be an educational, nonprofit, volunteer and service corporation which renders non-biased, sound horticultural information to the community. Master Gardeners work in partnership with the Texas AgriLife Extension and are the service arm of Extension Horticulture. Our objectives are accomplished through the volunteer efforts of Travis County Master Gardeners Association members.

Is the Master Gardeners Program for me? To help you decide if you should apply to be a Master Gardener, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants?
• Am I eager to participate in a practical and intense training program?
• Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
• Do I have enough time to attend training and to complete the volunteer service?

If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you.

If accepted into the Master Gardener program in your county, you will attend a Master Gardener training course and pay the tuition. Classes are taught by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialists, staff, and local experts. The program offers a minimum of 50 hours of instruction that covers topics including lawn care; ornamental trees and shrubs; insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable gardening; home fruit production; garden flowers and water conservation.

2010 Master Gardener Training Class

There will be two information sessions held this spring for potential applicant: Tuesday May 11 from 6 to 7 pm, and Wednesday May 19 from 1 to 2 pm, held at the Travis County AgriLife Extension Center. To receive an application form you will be required to attend one of these sessions. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2010. The limited number of spaces in the program will be filled on assessment of the applications, a review of the required essay, and personal interviews. The 30 minute personal interviews with selected applicants will be individually scheduled July 5 through July 16.

Classes will begin at 1:00 Monday August 30, with a two hour orientation session. Regular classes will be from 8:30 to 4:30 beginning Wednesday September 1 and finishing with a 2 hour final examination on Wednesday November 10. Classes will be held at the Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Road.