Photo submitted to Times Observer Warren County Penn State Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Susan Witter cross-pollinates a tomato plant at the demonstration garden at Betts Park in Warren.

For anyone who has ever thought of becoming a Penn State Extension Master Gardener but didn’t know how, there is a class coming up.

“Master Gardeners are volunteers who have a keen interest in gardening, teaching others, and a desire to learn new gardening techniques,” according to Warren County Master Gardener Coordinator Susan Witter. “Penn State Extension in Warren County is accepting applications for the October 2022 Master Gardener Program training class.”

The program includes a volunteer training course that provides trainees with horticulture information and skills needed to provide teaching and outreach within Warren County.

The classes are held online once a week – from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Thursdays from October through March.

“In addition to attending classes, trainees agree to do 50 hours of volunteer work,” Witter said. “After the training year, the Master Gardeners complete 20 hours of volunteer time, as well as 10 hours of continuing education (webinars, conferences, etc.).”

Master Gardeners present to adults and children on a variety of gardening topics. Opportunities can include “presentations for children on the topic of gardening or pollinators (and) presentations for adults on container gardening, composting and many other topics,” she said. They “may write articles for the public, answer gardening questions, help maintain our demonstration gardens or assist with fundraisers like our annual plant sale.”

Those interested in the training program must submit an application and be interviewed.

Master Gardener apprentices – those accepted into the training program pay a fee of $200 for program materials and a Master Gardener Manual.

The Master Gardeners have a spot at Farmer’s Market in Warren on Aug. 6 and 20, Sept. 10, and Oct. 15, and prospective apprentices are encouraged to talk with current members and pick up information.

At the Aug. 6 Farmer’s Market, local Master Gardeners will hold an informational session on cross-pollination.

Visitors are welcome to pick and eat vegetables from the garden at the demonstration area at Betts Park, except for the tomatoes marked by orange cord. Those plants are part of an ongoing project. Public tastings of those tomatoes will be held at Farmer’s Market.

Questions can be directed to Witter via email to skw5797@psu.edu. More information is available by visiting extension.psu.edu/programs.