Carbon County master gardeners will host a meet and greet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Lehighton Recreation Center, 243 S. Eighth St., Lehighton.

Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and help you register for the fall training program.

“I’m especially excited to be talking about the Penn State Master Gardener training program this season. So many more people are calling our green line. We need more master gardeners,” said Diane Giffels, chairwoman of the basic training committee.

The master gardener volunteer training program began in 1973 at Washington State University Cooperative Extension. It’s designed to fill a growing need for science-based horticultural outreach to the residential community. The program has spread to the land grant university extensions in all 50 states.

Penn State provides a science-based curriculum to train volunteers in the major areas covered by Extension including taxonomy, plant pathology, soil health, entomology, turf grass, vegetables and more.

It’s a great way to learn botany and apply that knowledge to helping others, said Giffels.

The training can be intense.

“We cover one topic each week for four months in a one day per week session taught by qualified Penn State educators. We spend part of each class with hands-on activities to supplement our classroom teaching,” said Giffels.

“Our goal is for new master gardeners to have a sound foundation in science plus the ability to continue learning through research and continuing education.”

Giffels said the mandate is educational outreach, and that comes in many forms.

“We do presentations to various community groups, clubs, and organizations. We maintain a horticulture hot line at the Extension office. We assist groups who want to start a community garden.

Members are free to pursue projects that interest them. The master gardeners have programs at area nursing homes and a veteran’s rehabilitation facility.

To attend the meet and greet, call the Penn State Extension at 570-325-2788 and register. Walk-ins are also welcome.