FALMOUTH — University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County is offering a Master Gardener training course next year.

It will begin Feb. 3, and take place on 16 consecutive Friday afternoons. It will focus on fruits and vegetables.

A Master Gardener is a trained volunteer of UMaine Extension. Master Gardeners receive about 50 hours of practical training in basic horticulture and complete a minimum of 40 hours of approved volunteer work on various community-based projects around the county.

Participants must be residents of Cumberland County. They are selected through an application process.

Application packets are available by calling 207-781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471. The application packet is also available online at umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/mg_app_cumb.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, Dec. 30.