Become a Master Gardener with the Santa Rosa County Extension

[Photo by Mary Derrick]

MILTON — The Santa Rosa County Extension is accepting applications for Master Gardener training. Training costs $150, which includes all materials and supplies, according to Extension Residential Horticultural Agent Mary Derrick.

Master Gardeners train under extension faculty and then serve as volunteers in the community educating residents on Florida-friendly landscaping and horticulture. Master Gardener activities include:

  • Providing residents with advice on their landscapes
  • Giving presentations to groups
  • Maintaining demonstration gardens
  • Increasing environmental awareness at the Panhandle Butterfly House.

Benefits to being a Master Gardener include exclusive continuing educational opportunities, camaraderie with like-minded individuals and satisfaction in making their community a better place.

Applications are due Nov. 1. The selection process includes interviews and takes place in November. The training course is on schedule to begin January 2018. Classes meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday for 15 weeks at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Santa Rosa County Extension located at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton.  

Contact Derrick at 623-3868 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays or via email at maryd@santarosa.fl.gov for more information.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Become a Master Gardener with the Santa Rosa County Extension