2020 Fannin County Master Gardener training set to begin in February
By Cody Maxwell, M.S., Fannin County County Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Jan 14, 2020
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Fannin County, Texas -- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will host a Master Gardener training beginning in February to train new Master Gardeners! The training is set to begin February 18, 2020 and will take place from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. for nine consecutive weeks and conclude on April 14, 2020. The trainings will be held at the Derrell Hall Education Center, 2505 North Center Street in Bonham, TX, 75418.

The training will cover cultural practices and environmental considerations in the cultivation and management of ornamental and flowering plants, vegetable gardens, fruits and nuts, turf and landscape plants. The line-up of speakers and topics for this training is outstanding! As a trainee, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from some state, and world renown horticulturist in their area of expertise!

The purpose of the Master Gardener Program is to support and assist the Extension office in providing information on proper gardening practices to the community. While Master Gardeners benefit personally from participation, it should be understood, the principal criterion for acceptance into the program is the availability and willingness of the individual to volunteer to help county residents.

Upon completion of the training, the trainee will be asked to contribute a minimum of 50 hours of work through the county Extension office during the 12 months following the instructional period. After completing 50 volunteer hours of volunteer service, the trainee will then become a “Certified Master Gardener”. It should also be understood that you are not limited to 50 hours of volunteer time. Our interest in selecting individuals for this program goes far beyond the first year of training. We need people who are willing to commit to continued participation as experienced Master Gardeners.

There are exciting projects that have and will be taking place over the next several years within Fannin County Extension. To mention a few, in 2019, the Fannin County Master Gardeners designed and constructed a 2500-gallon Rainwater Collection Unit on the Derrell Hall Education Center and hosted a workshop at the completion of the construction. The “Backyard Project” is a demonstration project in the planning phase at the Derrell Hall Education Center that will heavily involve Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners plan and host educational events throughout the year. The largest event hosting over 400 people each year is the Master Gardener Home, Lawn, and Garden Expo that takes place each spring is one of the many educational efforts of the Fannin County Master Gardeners.

If you are interested in attending this training and being a part of this great organization that is under the direction of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, we invite you to call 903-583-7453 or email cody.maxwell@ag.tamu.edu to obtain an application for the 2020 Fannin County Master Gardener Training.