The Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County is offering a Master Gardener training course to begin March 3. Master Gardeners receive 45 hours of practical training in basic horticulture with sessions in soil science, botany, entomology, plant disease, garden problem solving, pruning and more.

After the training, each Master Gardener agrees to give back 40 hours of volunteer time over a 12-month period as a participant in any numerous community-based projects around the county.

The projects range from youth gardens and being a part of the School/Master Gardener Network, to working with immigrants and/or low income families to promote gardening interests, or as a Garden Angel to assist elderly or less-able individuals in gardening endeavors. Opportunities also exist for maintaining or establishing landscape beautification projects.