The Central Texas Master Gardeners in Brady are organizing a Master Gardener Training Class for this fall, Tuesdays from September 9 through November 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes are open to residents of all surrounding counties and volunteer service and certification can be completed in any county. Classes will include workshops, lectures, and field trips.
To pre-register, contact the McCulloch County Extension Office at 114 West Main Street in Brady, TX 76825. Phone: 325-597-1295. Email: centexmga@gmail.com or download an application at: http://txmg.org/centraltexas/
Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. What sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through the Extension office to provide horticultural-related information to their community.
Master Gardener training courses are taught by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialists, agents, 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.In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer time to their County Extension program. At least 50 hours of volunteer service within one year following the training is required to earn the title of “Texas Master Gardener”, then 12 hours of annual volunteer service to retain the title. Volunteer service varies according to community needs, and the abilities and interests of the Master Gardeners.
Master Gardeners are representatives of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M System. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master Gardeners follow the research-based recommendations of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The title “Texas Master Gardener” can be used by volunteers only when engaged in Extension-sponsored activities.
