BROWNWOOD – Central Texas gardeners can become Texas Master Gardeners during an upcoming training series conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices in Brown and McCulloch counties.
The training won’t start until Sept. 13, but participants must register by Aug. 15 at either of the AgriLife Extension offices involved.

Scott Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent in Brown County, said the Master Gardener classes will be held each Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sept. 13 through Nov. 15.

“We’ll have two sessions per day in the morning and afternoon,” Anderson said. “We’ll rotate the classroom sessions between Brady, Brownwood and Winchell, with carpooling arrangements available to all sites.”

He said the classroom instruction will be supplemented with field trips to DeLeon, Fredericksburg and Tarleton State University at Stephenville.

Plant pathology, rainwater harvesting and soil health will be some of the topics covered during the training.

The Master Gardener program is a statewide training effort offered through AgriLife Extension. It consists of at least 50 hours of classroom instruction followed by 50 hours of volunteer service to their local AgriLife Extension program and community. The service must be completed within the year following the class. Once requirements are complete, the participant becomes a certified Texas Master Gardener.

Individual registration is $150 with a $50 deposit due by Aug. 15. Individual registration is $175 with the $50 deposit for those wishing to attend the classes but not commit to the volunteer service. Both fees include the Master Gardener handbook.

Registration balances are due the first day of class.

For more information or to register, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Brown County at 325-646-0386 or in McCulloch County at 325-597-1295.

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