Richland County Master Gardeners are taking applications for their upcoming training class for Master Gardener Volunteers.   Classes are open to residents of Richland and Ashland Counties who wish to join the MGVs and volunteer for the community. 

The classes will cover a range of topics, including: vegetables, fruits & berries, herbs, perennials, annuals, soil, lawns, trees, diseases, insects, and much more. Instructors include Laura Deeter, Jim Chatfield, Denise Ellsworth, Gary Gao and Judy Villard-Overocker from OSU Extension; Chuck Gleaves, Glenna Sheaffer, Mona Kneuss and Doug Schuster from Kingwood Center; community experts Richard Poffenbaugh, Steve McKee and Harvey Burkholder; and MGVs Merrill Tawse, Cheryl Harner, Mark Johnson and Jean Taddie.

Classes are scheduled 11 consecutive Monday evenings: Jan. 28 through April 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. and three Saturdays,  Feb. 9, Mar. 2, Apr. 6 from 9 a.m. to  4 p.m.

Most classes will be held at the Longview Center 1495 W. Longview Ave., Mansfield.  

Those who sign up are expected to attend all of the classes, followed by 50 hours of volunteering on MGV projects.  The class fee is only $100 for all sessions and includes the Master Gardener manual, instructors, and materials. 

Interested candidates should contact the OSU Extension office at (419) 747-8755 to request an application and interview.

Applications are due by Dec. 14.  Registration is limited to 30 people.