Now is the time to apply for the next Master Gardener training course scheduled to begin in January 2011 in Cathey’s Valley. Application forms are available at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) office in the ag building located at 5009 Fairgrounds Road. The application deadline is Oct. 15.

Applicant interviews will be by appointment during early November. Applicants accepted into the program will participate in a 17-week training course to be held at McCay Hall in Cathey’s Valley every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Classes will begin on Jan. 12, 2011, and run through May.

Master Gardeners (MG) are local community members trained by Cooperative Extension experts. Following the training, they contribute time as volunteers extending research-based horticultural information to the gardening community under the guidance of the UCCE.

Benefits of becoming a Master Gardener include the opportunity to learn about plants, soil and horticulture; to develop gardening skills; to share knowledge that will help improve the community; and to make many new friends and work side by side with other knowledgeable people who share a common interest in gardening.

Anyone who is enthusiastic, willing to learn, enjoys helping others, can effectively communicate with diverse groups of people and have some gardening experience or background in gardening may qualify to be a certified Master Gardener volunteer.

Those interested should come to the “Meet the Master Gardeners” orientation on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. at the board of supervisors’ chambers in the county government center.

For more information call the UCCE office at 966-2417.