Master Gardeners groom new crop of volunteers

The Florida Master Gardener program offered by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Santa Rosa County Extension Service has openings for new volunteers.

The Master Gardner program provides horticultural training for selected home gardeners in Florida. The deadline for applications is Nov. 18.

Master Gardeners are individuals who attend 60 hours of in-depth horticultural training from County Extension Agents. Participants then volunteer a minimum of 50 hours of service each year.

A recertification process is repeated each year, requiring Master Gardeners to complete 10 hours of research-based continuing education with a minimum of 50 volunteer hours.

Applications must be postmarked by November 18, 2011.  For further information or to request an application, contact the Santa Rosa County Extension office at 850-623-3868. Applications can be found online at http://santarosa.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_garden_mg_application.shtml.  Applicants must be residents of Santa Rosa County, Florida.

For more on this story, see the Nov. 17 issue of the Navarre Press.