ST. CLAIRSVILLE — New Master Gardener Volunteer training will be offered this spring at the Ohio State University Extension office at the Belmont County Fairgrounds, 45422 Roscoe Road, St. Clairsville.

The OSU Extension office of Belmont County is currently accepting applications for the Master Gardener Volunteer training program. The OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program provides intensive training in horticulture to those interested in volunteering their time and assisting with educational programs and activities. Volunteers are not required to have prior gardening skills or knowledge; however, a passion for learning about gardening and sharing this knowledge with others is a must.

Working with county extension personnel, Master Gardener Volunteers provide educational services to their communities such as: answering gardening questions from the public, conducting plant clinics, coordinating gardening educational activities, developing community or demonstration gardens and much more.

Applications can be obtained in person at the OSU Extension Office or acquired via email by contacting the office at lima.19@osu.edu or by calling 740-695-1455.

The classes will be held 6-9 p.m. beginning April 1 at the OSU Extension Belmont County office. They run through June 3. The cost of the training is $100 per person. Topics include: basic botany, soils, fertilizer and compost, entomology, plant pathology, integrated pest management, plant propagation and houseplants, lawn care, home herb, vegetable and fruit production, backyard wildlife management, and pollinators.

If you are a garden enthusiast, this is a great opportunity to enhance your knowledge and to share your gardening know-how and skills with others in your community.

The College of Food Agriculture and Environmental Sciences provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu. For event accommodation requests, call 740-264-2212 at least two weeks in advance of the program.