&nbsp;<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png">Even though gardening season is over, gardeners themselves never stop learning, growing and giving.&nbsp;This is the essence of what it means to be a Master Gardener.&nbsp;If you enjoy learning and giving back as a volunteer, consider becoming a Master Gardener in 2020. Now is the time to apply and reserve your spot for the 2020 training course.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Master Gardener basic training classes will be held at the Hays Extension office beging January 29, 2020 and run Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 18th.&nbsp;Topics covered include: basic botany, soil fertility, insects, diseases, tree and shrub care, vegetables, fruit gardening, turf management, wildlife, landscape design and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Who are Master Gardeners?Master Gardeners are K-State Research &amp; Extension volunteers who enjoy cultivating their own plants and gardens while sharing their skills and knowledge with the community around them to help others grow.&nbsp;Master Gardening is a wonderful way to enrich your life and the lives of others.&nbsp;Why become a Master Gardener?The decision to become a Master Gardener can be very rewarding.&nbsp;It is a decision to take your horticulture knowledge to the next level, and it is also a commitment to find creative ways to make a difference in our community while sharing that knowledge with the people and places around you. Training is just one great benefit.&nbsp;Master Gardeners receive a 40-hour-plus horticulture training course from K-State Extension specialists and county Extension agents.&nbsp;The basic training provides a great starting point for those new to gardening, but is also in depth enough to apply to gardeners of any skill level.&nbsp;Other benefits of being a Master Gardener include the camaraderie of people who share similar passions, receiving ongoing horticulture support through K-State Research and Extension, and occasional visits to horticultural places of interest.&nbsp;What about volunteering?&nbsp;Once training is complete, Master Gardeners take their knowledge out to the community to share it with others in unique and meaningful ways.&nbsp;First year Master Gardeners volunteer 40 hours of time and during succeeding years have a commitment of just 20 hours to remain active.&nbsp;Master Gardeners are encouraged to find their creativity in looking for ways to impact the community.&nbsp;A few activities many Master Gardeners enjoy volunteering on include:&nbsp;the demonstration garden, county fairs, educational garden tours and events, and booths at public events.&nbsp;Use these two questions to help determine if the Master Gardener program is right for you: • Are you available for about 40 hours of daytime classes on Wednesdays from February through March?•&nbsp;Do you have the interest and the time to attend monthly Master Gardener meetings and donate 40 hours of horticultural service to our community during the first year?&nbsp;If you are interested in joining the program or have questions regarding any of this information call the K-State Research &amp; Extension office.&nbsp;We need notification of interest as soon as possible as space is limited.&nbsp;Applications can be filled out or downloaded online at&nbsp;cottonwood.k-state.edu&nbsp;or picked up at the Extension office and are due by January 8, 2020.&nbsp;The Great Bend office can be contacted at 620-793-1910 and the Ellis county office is 785-628-9430.&nbsp;We look forward to hearing from you! Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by email at <a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">aboor@ksu.edu</a> or calling 620-793-1910