Manatee County's Agriculture and Extension Service is currently taking applications for its Florida Master Gardener training class for new volunteers. The class begins August 8, 2018, meeting every Wednesday from 8:30am to 4:30pm for 14 weeks. Class sessions are held at the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Manatee County, Agriculture and Extension Service in Palmetto. The class fee of $200 includes all workbooks, textbooks, and field trips. Trainees pair with veteran Master Gardeners who serve as mentors in the program. Upon completion of the training and internship portion, participants are certified as Florida Master Gardeners by the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Working with the Urban Horticulture Extension Agent, Master Gardeners provide volunteer service by disseminating horticultural information to the public in Manatee County. Manatee County is one of the three original counties in Florida to hold Master Gardener training; the program has been in place since 1979 and has provided training to hundreds of quality volunteers. This year's class topics include basic botany, entomology, vegetable gardening, wildlife, diagnosing plant problems, plant identification, citrus care, plant propagation, turf selection and care, and many other subjects. Prior gardening experience is not required. The deadline for applications is June 29, 2018 and class size is limited.

Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service