The Master Gardener Program

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History

Master Gardeners are volunteers who support Penn State Cooperative Extension's educational programs in consumer horticulture.Their horticutural knowledge is gained by participating in educational programs conducted by Penn State University faculty and cooperative extension staff.

Initiated in Seattle in 1972, the Master Gardener Program is designed to use the services of trained volunteers who have horticultural knowledge and a willingness to share that knowledge with other county residents through Cooperative Extension.

Pennsylvania's Master Gardener program was initiated by Philip N. Rhinehart. As vice-president of the Clearfield County Extension Executive Committee in 1980, Mr. Rhinehart was aware of extension staff in Clearfield County being inundated with gardening questions. He requested information from Washington about the program and relayed this information to Harold R. Boch, the county extension director. Mr. Boch proposed the idea of a Master Gardener program in Pennsylvania to Penn State. Penn State trained the first Master Gardener class in 1982 and in 1998 there were approximately 1500 active Master Gardener volunteers in 58 counties.

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The Master Gardener Volunteer

Master Gardeners receive a minimum of 30 hours of instruction. Along with an orientation, volunteers are given core training in plant science, plant propagation, soil science, plant pathology, entomology, communication skills, and integrated pest management. These subjects represent 20 hours of training. The remaining 10 hours of training are in specific gardening topics such as pruning techniques, composting, house plants, vegetable culture, herbs, tree and small fruit culture, lawns, and landscape design. Each new Master Gardener provides the county extension office with 50 hours of horticulture-related volunteer work in return for the 30 hours of instruction.

After a trainee has satisfactorily completed the formal training and 50 hours of volunteer service, he or she is awarded a Penn State Master Gardener certificate. To maintain the title "Certified Master Gardener," a volunteer is required to attend a minimum of 8 hours of update (advanced) training per year and serve a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer time per year. When an individual ceases active participation, his or her designation as a Master Gardener becomes void.

By every measure, The Master Gardener program has been highly successful and provides benefits for everyone involved. The public benefits by being able to talk with knowledgeable gardeners face-to-face. Master Gardeners enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes through their service and appreciate the professional training they receive. Cooperative Extension benefits because Master Gardeners enable extension to reach a greater number of gardeners.

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How Master Gardeners Help

Once they complete their training, Master Gardeners begin volunteer service. They cooperate with service agencies and community groups on a wide range of gardening projects. They often provide hands-on training through demonstrations for home gardeners, clubs, and organizations. Their talents and energy are directed toward providing a link between their community and Penn State Cooperative Extension.

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What They Can Do For You

Master Gardeners are willing and able to educate individuals and groups in:

• plant selection
• weed, insect, and disease identification
• composting
• soil improvement
• pest control
• turf management
• vegetable gardening
• tree pruning and care
• community gardening
  ...and more

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• work with groups on community beautification
• create demonstration gardens
• teach plant science to school-age children
• teach horticulture to adults
• answer gardening questions
• teach environmentally sound gardening to community groups
• write fact sheets and newsletters
• establish gardening programs for special-needs audiences

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Apply To Become A Master Gardener

If you have gardening experience, a strong desire to share your time and love of gardening with others and a love of lifelong learning, you may be a good candidate for the Master Gardener Program.

The next class of Master Gardeners in Mercer County will begin in August and the selection process starts in mid-July. If you want to learn more about becoming a Master Gardener, contact Penn State Cooperative Extension in Mercer County.

Mercer County Cooperative Extension office - (724)662-3141 (fax #662-1933)

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