Registration for the 2010 Vermont Master Gardener Course is now underway. This University of Vermont Extension course is only offered once each year and fills quickly.

The Master Gardener course covers the fundamentals of plant and soil science and how it applies to home or community gardening. Training focuses on a variety of horticulture topics such as; vegetable and flower gardening, botany, sustainable landscape design, soils, plant diseases, entomology, invasive plants and pests, and more! University of Vermont faculty and experts from Vermont's horticultural agencies teach these classes.

Students who wish to earn "Certified Master Gardener" credentials are required to complete an internship following course completion. Interns put their classroom knowledge to work by participating in established Master Gardener projects in their communities. Certified Master Gardeners are then eligible for advanced gardening workshops and tours to stay up-to-date on horticultural research, learn and practice techniques like garden design, and have the opportunity to network with advanced gardeners, UVM faculty, and industry professionals.

The course takes place on Tuesday evenings, February 2 to April 27, at Vermont Interactive Television (VIT) sites in Bennington, Brattleboro, Johnson, Lyndon, Montpelier, Middlebury, Newport, Randolph Center, Rutland, Springfield, St. Albans, Waterbury, and White River Junction, Williston.

Course fee is $315 plus $70 for a comprehensive training manual (required) and all class materials. To register or for more information please e-mail master.gardener@uvm.edu, call (802) 656-9562, or visit www.uvm.edu/mastergardener.

If you require accommodations to participate in this program, please contact our office at (802) 656-9562 at least four weeks prior to the first session on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.