You Can Be a
Master Gardener!
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2009 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 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 16 basic topics:
botany; soils; herbaceous plants; trees & shrubs; lawn care; weeds; fundamentals of insect pest management; plant pathology; diagnostics; entomology; indoor plants; vegetables; fruits; living with wildlife 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 comprehensive educational materials, access to the online course 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 volunteer 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 online
newsletters, low-cost educational 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 contact your local County Extension Office. Locations and phone numbers are listed on the web at http://www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo/components/questions_yglines.html. More information, including class times and locations, is available at www.mg.umn.edu.
Hort 1003/ProHort
The Master Gardener Core Course is also offered as either a three credit University of Minnesota 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. ProHort is also accepted by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) as an eight-credit continuing education course. Classes are usually held in the Twin Cities in January-February and at other locations or online January-March. For more information contact the State Master Gardener Office at 612-625-4211; to register for Hort 1003 go to www.cce. umn.edu under distance education or Horticultural Science.
Master Gardener Program
155 Alderman Hall
1970 Folwell Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-625-4211
bart0590@umn.edu
www.mg.umn.edu
