Who
Are Master Gardeners?
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers for Cooperative Extension.
They are members of the local community who take an active interest
in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They are enthusiastic,
willing to learn and help others, and able to communicate with
diverse groups of people.
What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners
is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for training,
those who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers
working through their local Cooperative Extension office to provide
horticulture-related information to their community.
Is
Master Gardening For You?
To help you decide if you should apply to be a Master Gardener,
ask your self these questions:
Do I want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of
many types of plants?
Am I eager to participate in a practical and intensive training
program?
Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
Do I have enough time to attend the training and to complete my
volunteer work?
If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener Program
could be for you. Contact your local Extension Office to see if
there is a Master Gardener Program in your county; not all counties
have one. If there is a program, obtain an application form from
the Master Gardener Coordinator at that office.
Training
If accepted into the Master Gardener Program in your county, you
will be eligible to attend Master Gardener training. Classes are
taught by the University of Nebraska Extension staff and specialists.
The program offers approximately 40 hours of instruction that
covers topics in lawn care; ornamental trees and shrubs; insect,
disease, and weed control; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable
gardening; house plants; and garden flowers.
The yearly training is usually given in the winter or early spring
at various locations across the state. Check with your county
Extension Office for specific locations, dates and times.
What is the cost of Master Gardener Training?
The basic instruction is provided without charge, however there
is a fee for supplies which become your personal reference collection.
Fun and Friends
In addition to giving volunteer service to your community, you
will meet people from across your county, state and across the
U.S. and Canada. An annual Nebraska Master Gardener Conference
is generally held in the summer and an International Master Gardener
Conference is held during odd years.
Commitment
In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer
time to their county Extension program. One hour of volunteer
service is required for each hour of training received, but many
people give even more.
Because programs are designed to meet the needs of the individual
county, Master Gardener activities may vary. Some common types
of service include:
Answer telephone requests for information relating to gardening.
Staff plant clinics or displays in shopping malls or community
centers.
Plan and present educational programs for community groups and
other volunteers.
Help establish and maintain community garden plots or educational
community beautification projects.
Work with 4-H and other youth groups.
Assist their Extension Educator with news paper or radio releases
related to horticulture.
Grow and evaluate cultivars of vegetables and flowers.
Each county's Extension staff determine if they need volunteer
help in the area of horticulture and decide how volunteer time
can best be spent.
Master Gardeners are representatives of the University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension. In all volunteer work related to the program,
volunteers must follow recommendations of the University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension. The title "Master Gardener" can
be used by volunteers only when they are engaged in activities
as representatives of the University of Nebraska. The title and
certification may be used on employment applications, but not
once on the job.
