LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Do you like to garden? Are you interested in helping other gardeners in Lake County?

Then consider applying to become a University of California Master Gardener.

Master Gardeners are volunteer staff of the University of California who have been trained and certified to extend research-based horticultural information to the public.

Successful applicants will be invited to participate in the eight-week, 60-hour training on horticultural topics starting on Jan. 15, 2015.

Acceptance into the program is based on the following:

– Written application;
– Interest in volunteer community service;
– Interest in gardening and horticulture in general;
– Willingness and ability to work compatibly with other volunteers under the direction of UC staff;
– Commitment to the dissemination of University of California-approved information and advice;
– Willingness to be fingerprinted for a background check;
– In-person interview.

The purpose of the training program is to build and maintain a group of dedicated volunteers trained to provide helpful and important horticultural information to the citizens of Lake County.

Applicants must agree to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours of public service to the U.C. Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program within one year of completing their training.

Training is provided by University of California and other local experts.

Classes are four hours long and are held from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 15. at the Agricultural Center in Lakeport, a wheelchair-accessible site.

There is a $125 fee for the class which includes training, selected classroom materials and relevant publications, plus an additional cost of $25 for fingerprinting.

For an application or more information on the U.C. Master Gardener Program and 2015 training class, contact the U.C. Cooperative Extension office at 707-263-6838, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or stop by the office at 883 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport.

Applications will be accepted until Dec. 5, 2014.