Bowie County Master Gardener Training Class Announced

The Bowie County Master Gardeners have announced a training class for 2017.

Do you like to garden? Do you enjoy learning more about gardening? Do you enjoy sharing your gardening knowledge? Do you have the time to share your gardening passion and talents with others? If you answered ‘yes’ to these 4 questions, then you should consider becoming a Texas Master Gardener.

The Bowie County Master Gardeners, a volunteer organization of horticultural enthusiasts, is seeking applicants for its 2017 Training Class. Master Gardeners receive extensive training in horticulture and provide volunteer service through approved projects back to their communities.

Training classes begin January 9 and end February 23. Classes will be held from 1 pm to 5 pm twice weekly on Monday and Thursday afternoons at the Texarkana College TexAmericas Center in Hooks. In order to become a certified Texas Master Gardener, ‘interns’ as trainees are called, must complete the 50+ hour training course and provide 50 hours of service to approved projects. Once these milestones are met, interns become Certified Texas Master Gardeners. Certified Texas Master Gardeners must provide at least 12 hours of service and attend at least 6 hours of continuing education annually, in order to retain their certification.

If you are interested in applying for the 2017 Bowie County Master Gardener intern group, contact the Bowie County Extension office at 903-628-6702. We can answer your questions related to the intern class and provide you with an application. Also, for more information or an application you can contact Teresa Slack at 903.831.7494.

Cost for the intern class is $125 per person. This fee includes the training manual, first year Master Gardener dues, a Master Gardener name tag, and a required criminal background check. Couples may participate together for a reduced fee of $200, provided they share a training manual.

For more information phone (903) 628-6702 or for more info on the Bowie County 4-H check out their website.