Applications being accepted for Athens Master Gardener certification program

Athens-Clarke County Extension currently is accepting applications for the 2016 Athens Area Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program.

Classes will be held Tuesday and Thursday mornings from January through March at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Established in 1999, the Athens area master gardener program is an adult education course that provides training in horticulture principles, gardening practices and pest management. Participants also will partake in hands-on activities and go on tours.

After completing the course, master gardeners will assist UGA Extension in providing gardening information to the community through 50 hours of volunteer service within their first year of graduating from the class and 25 hours each year thereafter. Volunteer hours must be completed in order to retain an active certification. Over 200 master gardeners currently serve the Athens area. In 2014, this group completed more than 13,000 volunteer hours.

The cost for the program is $210 and includes 50 hours of course instruction, the Georgia Master Gardener textbook, name badge, certificate and graduation reception upon course completion. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 1.

For more information and to download the 2016 application, visit www.ugaextension.com/clarke/anr or call (706) 613-3640.