Gardeners in Central Texas will have the chance to hone their skills and build their knowledge this fall at a Master Gardeners training program co-sponsored by the Brown County and Central Texas Master Gardeners Associations.     With subjects as diverse as plant pathology, rainwater harvesting and soil health, the Master Gardener classes will be held Tuesdays, from Sept. 13 to Nov. 15. There will be two sessions per day, morning and afternoon. Class locations will rotate between Brady, Brownwood and Winchell. Carpooling arrangements will be available. Besides classroom instruction, the program will include several field trips to area points of horticultural interest including DeLeon, Fredericksburg, and Tarleton University in Stephenville.

The Master Gardener training program is offered through the AgriLife extension service of Texas A&M University and consists of a minimum of 50 classroom hours. Participants agree to donate at least 50 hours of volunteer service within a year to their county extension program and community. Upon completion of those requirements, the participant is certified as a Texas Master Gardener.

Cost of the program is $150, which includes the Texas Master Gardener handbook. The training will be offered for $175 to persons who want to attend the classes but cannot commit to the volunteer service and do not desire to earn the title of Master Gardener.

Participants from throughout Central Texas are invited to attend with the understanding that their volunteer service may be satisfied in their county of residence.

Registration is limited and applications must be received by August 15. A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is required with application. Payment in full is due no later than the first class day.

Applications and a tentative class schedule are available at the Brown County AgriLife Extension office, 605 Fisk Ave., Brownwood, TX 76801, phone 325-646-0386, McCulloch County AgriLife Extension office, 114 W. Main, Brady, TX 76825, phone 325-597-1295; or by email at brown-tx@tamu.edu or at mcculloch-tx@tamu.edu. Online applications can also be downloaded from http://brown-tx.tamu.edu or http://mcculloch-tx.tamu.edu, through “Publications,” “Master Gardeners,” then “Master Gardener

Application.”