VERONA — Gardeners who want to improve their own skills and give back to their communities can take advantage of an online training and certification opportunity this fall.

Registration for the next class of Master Gardeners opens Aug. 13 and closes Sept. 12. Participants can begin their training Oct. 1, and all coursework must be completed by Dec. 2. These expert volunteers are trained and certified in consumer horticulture and related areas by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

“In exchange for 40 hours of educational training, participants return 40 hours of volunteer service within one year of their training,” said Jeff Wilson, Extension horticulture specialist and state coordinator of the Master Gardener program.

This year, all Master Gardener instruction is online and self-paced. It costs $125 to register for this training and then complete the 40 hours of community service in the first year.

Communities benefit in many ways from the volunteer work of their local Master Gardeners.

“Master Gardener volunteers experience the personal satisfaction of serving their community, gaining horticultural expertise and connecting with their local gardening community,” Wilson said.

After the first year’s 40-hour community service requirement is met, Master Gardeners continue to receive training and log a minimum of 20 community service hours a year to maintain their certified status.

This volunteer work helps local Extension offices reach a broader audience than is possible through just the efforts of Extension agents. Master Gardener volunteers also extend the educational arm of the university to the public by providing horticultural information based on university research and recommendations.

Wilson said Mississippi has about 1,400 active Master Gardeners. Similar programs are offered in each state through that state’s Extension Service.

Those who want advanced horticulture training but not the volunteer service component can register for $200 for a home-gardening course. Additionally, anyone is welcome to pay $25 per class for select classes offered year-round without the volunteer component.

Register for the training and learn more about the Master Gardener program at http://msuext.ms/mg.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation or more information about the Master Gardener program, contact Jeff Wilson at 662-566-8019 or http://jeff.wilson@msstate.edu.