The LSU AgCenter and Ascension Parish Master Gardeners will be hosting a Louisiana Master Gardener training class this fall.

The class curriculum is composed of a 40- to 50-hour course that will be taught on Mondays (with the exception of Labor Day) and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., beginning Aug. 17 and ending on Sept. 22.

Louisiana Master Gardeners play an important role in meeting the horticultural needs of Louisiana residents by providing research based information for home horticulture enthusiasts.

Designed to recruit and train volunteers, the Louisiana Master Gardener Program is open to anyone with a willingness to learn and a desire to help others.  Instructional training for the Louisiana Master Gardener program is tailored for beginners and experienced gardeners.

In exchange for horticulture training, Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers by working through their parish extension offices to develop and enhance community outreach programs related to home horticulture.  Depending on community needs, these may include environmental improvement activities, local fairs and festivals, plant health clinics, civic meetings, maintenance of demonstration gardens, and community and school gardening programs.

The fee for the program is $150.

Anyone interested in becoming a Master Gardener should contact the LSU AgCenter Ascension Parish Extension Office at 225-621-5799 to obtain an application and more information.

The deadline to apply for the class is July 24.