CHICKASAW COUNTY - The Chickasaw County Extension Service will offer the Master Gardener training class February 24-April 2, 2009.

The class will be held over interactive video at the Chickasaw County Extension Service every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A one-time fee of $85 per person will cover the cost of training manuals and refreshments. Also included in the fee is an optional yearly membership of $40 to the Mississippi Master Gardener State Association.

Once the 40 hours of classroom training is complete, trainees will need to complete 40 hours of volunteer service within the year to become certified as a Master Gardener. Each year following Master Gardeners are required to complete 20 hours of service and 12 hours of educational programs. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 5, 2009. For information, call the Extension Service at 456-4269.