Beginning Aug. 25, a Purdue Master Gardener Program training series will be offered for residents of Carroll County and surrounding areas.

The Purdue Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program that provides a learning framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects. In turn, participants volunteer, representing Purdue University.

As volunteers, participants grow by sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities.

Training will be held for 13 weeks on Mondays from 6:30- 9:30 p.m. Participants will be exposed to a wide range of subjects including soil and plant science, diagnosis of plant problems, pesticide safety, and culture of vegetable, flower, landscape, and fruit plants.

Materials and expenses for the series of classes are $100 per participant or $130 per couple sharing materials. The class fee covers such items as reference notebooks, mailings, and name badges. These materials all become part of the Master Gardener's personal collection.

While the class will be encouraged to create new educational outreach programs, there are already opportunities for which volunteers are needed. Some of these projects include the staffing information booths at gardening events, teaching public education classes, speaking to local clubs and organizations, and hand-on demonstration gardens.

For more information or to obtain an application, call Paul Marcellino Purdue Extension Educator ANR at 765-564-3169 or email him at pmarcellino@ purdue.edu.