You Can Be a
Master Gardener Brochure
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2005 Regents of the University of
Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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More About the Master Gardener Program
The Master Gardener Program in
Minnesota is an educational program
designed to train volunteers to help
other people in their communities with
horticulture. The program was created in
1977 and is administered by the University
of Minnesota Extension Service. Most
counties in Minnesota have active training
in home horticulture by University
specialists in exchange for volunteer time.
This training enables Master Gardeners
to be effective resources in their local
communities. Working with local County
Extension offices, Master Gardener
activities benefit schools, community
education programs, garden centers,
farmer's markets, historical sites, and many
other programs.
Qualifications
To be a Master Gardener you need to
have an active interest in gardening and
a desire to share this interest with others.
You must be enthusiastic, willing to learn,
and able to communicate with diverse
groups of people. You must attend the
Master Gardener Core Course of 48 hours
of classroom instruction and complete an
internship of 50 volunteer hours the first
year. Many counties have an application
process, some with an interview and a
horticulture test. New Master Gardeners
must be willing to adhere to the policy of
giving university-based recommendations
and following county guidelines in
working on approved volunteer projects.
University Training
The classroom instruction covers 12 basic
topics: best management practices of lawn,
trees, and shrubs; botany; plant pathology;
entomology; soil science and plant
nutrition; fruits; vegetables; indoor plants;
annuals, perennials, and bulbs; living with
wildlife; pesticide safety; and landscape
design. Classes are held in the Twin Cities,
at various locations in Minnesota, and
on the Internet. Along with classroom
training, Master Gardener interns receive a
comprehensive textbook, approximately 75
Extension publications, and the Yard and
Garden Briefs on CD.
After completing the Core Course, your
training continues with a volunteer
internship with the local Extension Office.
This involves 50 hours of volunteer
time to be completed within the first
year of program participation. Master
Gardener interns work with their local
county to determine program needs
and specific volunteer activities. You
become a Certified Master Gardener
upon completion of the Core Course and
the internship. To continue as a Master
Gardener you must volunteer 25 hours
each year through your local Extension
Office. Only those active in the volunteer
program may call themselves Master
Gardeners.
Volunteer Activities
Master Gardeners volunteer in County
Extension programs. Activities include
answering phone requests for gardening
information, working with community
groups, and holding plant clinics. Master
Gardeners also give lectures and slide
or power-point presentations, set up
horticultural displays, write articles for
local newspapers, and teach community
education classes. Master Gardeners
function as resource individuals for
horticultural questions in their local
Extension Offices. Their efforts help
County Extension educators achieve the
mission of the University of Minnesota
Extension Service by "connecting
community needs and University
resources" to address critical issues in
Minnesota.
Continuing Education
Master Gardeners receive quarterly online
newsletters, low-cost education materials
from the University of Minnesota, and
opportunities to attend educational
conferences and meetings. Master
Gardeners often become recognized
experts in their local communities
and have countless opportunities for
community service.
To Apply:
To receive Master Gardener application
materials, send in the attached response
form (View the PDF brochure to obtain form) or contact your local County
Extension Office. Locations and phone
numbers are listed on the web at www.extension.umn.edu.
Hort 1003/ProHort
The Master Gardener Core Course
is also offered as either a three credit
course, Hort 1003, or as a non-credit
course, ProHort. These options provide
personal or professional development
to individuals who want to learn about
horticulture but choose not to volunteer.
Classes are usually held in the Twin Cities
in January-February; at other locations
or online January-March. For more
information contact the State Master
Gardener Office at 952-443-1442, or to
register for Hort 1003 go to www.cce.
umn.edu under distance education or
Horticultural Science.
