CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Feb. 4, 2025) – Recruitment has begun for the 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer program in Charlotte County. Master Gardener Volunteers are University of Florida-trained teachers. Master Gardener Volunteers educate and provide research-based information to residents about gardening, America’s most popular pastime.
The training will be conducted on weekdays, beginning in March and concluding in June. The training sessions will be held at the Centennial Park Recreation Center in Port Charlotte.
Master Gardener Volunteer candidates receive in-depth horticultural training from UF/IFAS Extension instructors. In return, they give a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer assistance to their county UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County horticulture program. The training includes basic plant science, entomology, plant pathology, nematology, vegetable gardening, fruit culture, palms, woody ornamentals, turf management, termites, ants, soils, composting, propagation, and the identification and use of common landscape plants.
Master Gardener Volunteers donate their time by answering homeowner’s horticultural questions and conduct educational programs to the community. Master Gardener Volunteers also advise and assist with community and school garden programs.
The deadline for applying is February 10. Class size is limited.
For information, visit https://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu or contact Holly Bates at 941-764-4340 or HollyBates@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
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