Those who want to serve the community and sharpen their “green thumb” can do just that through participation in an upcoming program offered by the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension.

The Extension is hosting its annual 13-course training program, starting in March, to certify new Master Gardeners, according to Gene Fox, consumer horticulture agent at the Extension. The courses are designed to train Master Gardener volunteers, giving them a comprehensive knowledge of gardening.

“Throughout that 13-class deal, they gain a knowledge of, essentially, all aspects of plants,” Fox said.

Fox said the program costs $110 and gives participants the skills and know-how to, in turn, serve the community by answering questions from area residents. Prospective Master Gardeners will gain insight on turf and ornamentals to vegetable gardens and house plants, as well as soil and fertility, pesticides and integrated pest management and diseases in plants.

Those who participate and complete the coursework component of the program are required to give 40 hours of volunteer service via speaking opportunities, clinics, answering questions through the Master Gardener hotline and education in public schools and elsewhere, Fox said. After completing the coursework and 40 hours of service, participants then get their Master Gardener certification.

“What they’re giving us in return is their volunteer service to give that knowledge back to the community,” Fox said. “If they’re willing to commit time to go to classes and do their internship work, they’ll gain an incredible knowledge base that will last them a lifetime. It’s like a crash horticulture degree in 13 classes.”

The services provided by the Master Gardeners are huge for the community, according to Fox. Each year, certified Master Gardeners are required to do 20 hours of volunteer work per year to maintain their status, which facilitates a lot of outreach and education that is passed on to those in the community needing help in their yards and gardens.

Judy Keohane, a 13-year-member of the program, said the group’s primary role is spreading the education and knowledge gained through the training. She initially joined to better understand the growing climate in the area after retiring from being a critical care nurse and relocating from upstate New York.

“In addition to helping, we’re also educating,” Keohane said. “I came from upstate New York before retiring, and I needed to know what grew here. I took care of people a good number of years, and because of that nurturing in my role, I am now nurturing plants and helping others solve their problems. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather knowledge. It’s not just digging in the earth. It’s about outreach, education and giving back.”

The Extension will host a Spring Vegetable and Fruit Garden Clinic on Feb. 2 in Beaufort and Hyde counties and invites the public to come out and see if the subject matter is something that sparks their interest. The organization hopes to draw more people in to the Master Gardener program through the clinic, according to Fox.

Fox said the Extension will also host an informational session at its offices on Feb. 22, from 2-3 p.m., a time where attendees can ask questions about the Master Gardener program and apply.

Master Gardener classes start on March 2 and run on Mondays and Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to noon, through mid-April.

The Beaufort County Cooperative Extension is located at 155A Airport Road in Washington. For more information or to register, call 252-946-0111.