What is a Master Gardener?

 

 

What is the Master Gardener Program?

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained and certified by the University of California Cooperative Extension in the area of home gardening and horticulture. They extend the information they learn and provide technical assistance to the community.

 

Why Did the Master Gardener Program Start?

The Cooperative Extension Service has been helping people solve their agricultural problems since 1914. Extension agents/advisors supervised Victory gardens during World War I and World War II and have helped community gardeners for many years. Today, Cooperative Extension, throughout the United States, helps both rural and city dwellers wanting information on gardening, landscaping, pest management and other plant related topics. The demand for useful information by home gardeners has skyrocketed in recent years. With the increased demand for information, a more effective way of providing information was required. A voluntary educational program that would teach people about plants and gardening, and they would then extend this knowledge to other people, seemed to be the best approach.

 

Who Started the Master Gardener Program?

In 1972, Washington State held the first Master Gardener training program.  Since then, Master Gardener programs have spread to over 25 states. California's program began in Sacramento and Riverside counties in 1979. The first classes graduated in the spring of 1980, and many of these initial graduates are still active in the program. Contra Costa’s program began in 1983.

 

What Training Is Provided to the Master Gardeners?

The Master Gardeners are given a training program that offers a practical course in plant science and horticulture. Classes involve over 60 hours of intensive classroom instruction in areas such as weeds, diseases, insects, soils, water, fertilizers, fruit and landscape trees, pesticides, vegetables and more.

 

Who Are the Instructors?

Classes are taught by experts in their fields. They include Cooperative Extension Advisors and Specialists and faculty from the University of California Berkeley and Davis and local community colleges. Other knowledgeable resource people are often used.

 

Who Becomes a Master Gardener?

Master Gardeners are people from all walks of life; including business and professional people, educators, retired citizens, homemakers, students. In essence, local residents of all ages, and backgrounds, with some degree of experience or knowledge of plants and gardening. They must possess enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and help others, and the ability to communicate with diverse groups of people.

 

What is the Master Gardener's Commitment to the Program?

After completing the training and passing a written exam, the newly certified Master Gardener is required to complete 75 hours of volunteer service to the Cooperative Extension in one year's time.  In subsequent years, in order to remain within the program, 24 hours of volunteer work and 12 hours of continuing education are required annually.  The desire and ability to fulfill the volunteer commitment is a major criterion in the selection of a potential Master Gardener.

 

What Type of Volunteer Work Does a Master Gardener Do?

There are many ways the Master Gardeners extend the information they have learned. Master Gardeners answer questions, diagnose plant problems and give horticultural assistance by telephone, at plant clinics, demonstrations, presentations, and through mass media on vegetable gardening, trees, soils, lawns, diseases, insects and related topics. Master Gardeners also work on special community horticulture and gardening projects.

 

Where Can One Obtain Information from a Master Gardener?

One can contact the Master Gardeners by calling (925) 646-6586 or email at mgcontracosta@ucdavis.edu.  The Help Desk is open from Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 noon.