Are you interested in learning how to develop a “green thumb” or sharpening your garden skills?

If so, the Chilton County Extension Office and the Autauga County Extension Office are teaming up together to offer the Master Gardener Volunteer Program beginning in February 2010.

The classes will be held primarily in Autauga County, and applications are now being accepted for the class.

The purpose of this nationwide extension education program is to train interested gardeners to help others solve their home horticulture problems.

The course is designed for non-professionals with interest in increasing their gardening skills and helping others with the knowledge they have gained.

The program will consist of 14 weeks of class and hands-on training, and after completing the courses, the Master Gardener interns will be expected to give 10 hours of service to the Master Gardener Helpline and 50 hours of volunteer service to the extension and their communities.

Any volunteer efforts that relate to gardening will be accepted.

Examples of volunteer efforts include talking to garden clubs, community garden projects, outdoor school projects, landscape and outdoor projects, or assisting the local cooperative extension office in some way.

The courses on gardening will be taught by specialists, county agents, and veteran Master Gardeners.

Subjects covered in the class will include soils and plant nutrition, plant physiology, care of landscape plants, landscape design, lawn care, weed identification, houseplants, vegetable gardening, water gardening, herbs, composting and many more.

For an application, contact your local extension office or call the Autauga County Extension Office at (334) 361-7273 or Chilton County Extension Office at 280-6268.

You can also access the application online at http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1155/ and mail it to: 2226 Hwy 14 W, Suite E, Autaugaville, AL 36003.

Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Feb. 17 through May 19. Deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2009, and a committee will review applications in early January to make selections for the class.

There is a fee associated with this class.