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What is the Master Gardener Program?
It is a voluntary educational program sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension, The "cooperative" part of the UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) program is based on the collaborative efforts between the US. Department of Agriculture, the county governments of Monterey and Santa Cruz, and the University to better serve the home gardening community.
The Master Gardener Program is designed to extend research-based plant information to the public through the utilization of knowledgeable volunteers who have successfully completed a 72 hour training hour program in home horticulture. The Master Gardener role is primarily that of "educator". Master Gardeners have been referred to as "the public relations firm of the University of California."
When was the Master Gardener Program started?
The idea began with a program in Snohomish County, Washington, in 1972. The Farm Advisor was unable to handle all the incoming calls from home gardeners and initiated the help of trained volunteers to accommodate the needs of the local community.
The Master Gardener Program was started in California in 1979 with two pilot projects in Sacramento and Riverside. There are now over 6,000 trained Master Gardeners in over 28 California counties-and approximately 60,000 Master Gardeners in 50 States and Canada. The Monterey Bay Master Gardener Program, serving Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, started in 1994.
What does the training entail?
TRAINING: Class instruction is presented by UCCE Farm Advisors, Ag Commission Specialists, campus based instructors, as well as some non-UC personnel with recognized expertise in a specific area. The trainees receive instruction on a variety of subjects. The instructional material emphasizes research-based information from UC but also includes information from other reputable sources. Subject areas covered include, but are not limited to:
Introduction to Horticulture and Plant Physiology Soil, Water, and Fertilizers Plant Problems, Diagnosis and Diseases Vegetable Gardening Plant Insects Fruit Tress Pesticide Safety and Efficacy Weeds Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Annuals, Perennials and Ground covers Ornamental Trees and Shrubs Turfgrass and Disease Vertebrate Pests
The training includes not only the general training classroom sessions and field instruction , but also advanced training classes, which consist of additional subjects and field trips to a variety of places of educational value.
The general training typically runs 12-15 weeks with 5 or 6 hours of classroom instruction per week. The classes are held on Saturdays in various facilities in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The primary classroom location is at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Watsonville.
EXAMINATIONS: Every trainee, in order to be a Master Gardener, must pass a final examination with a score of at least 70 percent, The exam covers all the information taught and/or referenced throughout the training program. It is a take-home, open book exam and generally takes 8-10 hours to complete.
CERTIFICATION: Master Gardener trainees must attend all of the general training class sessions and successfully pass the final exam with a score of 70% or better. Attendance at an additional four advanced training classes or field trips must be completed by the end of the calendar year following the completion of the general training session.
A Master Gardener becomes certified when a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service has been carried out by the end of the calendar year in which the training took place. Master Gardeners may commence their volunteer hours at the beginning of their training classes. On a quarterly basis, time sheets outlining the number of hours and the type of volunteer activity are to be submitted. While 30 hours is the minimum required, it is hoped that Master Gardeners will continue to share their knowledge with the community long after the minimum has been satisfied.
Certification as a Master Gardener is valid for one year at a time. Re-certification is possible and encouraged to remain active and on the Master Gardener mailing list. Any Master Gardener who wishes to stay involved and performs 30 hours of volunteer work and attends 16 hours of advanced training class each year can maintain their certification.
What do Master Gardeners do after they complete the training?
VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT: The type of volunteer work is generally based on a mutual decision of the UCCE Advisory Board and the Master Gardener. A number of options are possible and it is hoped that the type of service performed will be useful, needed and satisfactory to everyone. They serve the community in a wide variety of ways including:
| teaching classes to people of all ages | |
| answering gardening questions over the phone on the hotline and in person at plant clinics held | |
| at various locations in the community | |
| conducting horticultural research locally under the guidance of UCCE | |
| planting and maintaining demonstration gardens | |
| volunteering for various other community gardening projects. |
Specific locations for the performance of the volunteer work are determined locally and should reflect local needs. The intent of the program is to extend unbiased, researched-based information to the public while utilizing and augmenting community resources. It is also possible for a Master Gardener to propose a unique community volunteer project. The proposal is presented to the Master Gardener Advisory Board for approval. Once approved, the Master Gardener is free to proceed with the project.
Master Gardeners volunteer to staff the UCCE gardening hotline located at the UCCE office in Watsonville. Those who enjoy teaching sign up to work on a speaker's bureau and give talks to garden clubs, senior centers, schools and churches. Others may choose to work on field research projects with the UCCE Farm Advisor or help write gardening articles for local newspapers.
During the performance of volunteer work Master Gardeners are supported by UCCE advisers and other Master Gardeners. This support includes follow-up training, coaching and technical assistance. Master Gardeners are provided with Cooperative Extension publications. Master Gardeners also have the diagnostic support of the UCCE and California Department of Food and Agriculture diagnostic laboratories.
RECORD KEEPING: Each Master Gardener is responsible for keeping records of time spent in approved Master Gardener volunteer activities. The information to be recorded includes dates of activity, project title and, where appropriate, information on the clients served as far as gender and ethnicity. Volunteer hours and advanced training hours are reported at the Monterey Bay MG web site. Alternatively time sheets outlining the number of hours and type of volunteer activity may be submitted by mail on a quarterly basis. This information is utilized in our reporting to the University and the local and federal governments. Master Gardeners who do not complete their 30 hours of volunteer time within a year of completing the classroom training will not receive their Master Gardener badges.
USE OF TITLE: The University of California Cooperative Extension 'Master Gardener" title is to be used only and exclusively in the UCCE Volunteer Master Gardener Program and not for commercial purposes. Persons are expected to identify themselves as UC Master Gardeners and agents of the University only when performing volunteer work in the program.
RECOMMENDATIONS: UCCE Master Gardeners, when performing Master Gardener activities, are agents of the University of California. When it is necessary to make recommendations, which include the use of pesticides, e.g. insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, Master Gardeners shall follow published UCCE recommendations. If there are questions related to cultural practices and problems not specifically covered by UCCE, recommendations should be checked with the local UCCE Farm Adviser.
Master Gardeners are to make recommendations only in the area of home and vegetable gardening. They may not make recommendations in other areas such as home food preservation, commercial landscaping or agriculture.
LIABILITY: Master Gardeners are covered for liability by the University in regard to the information they provide, as long as, and only if it is official information appearing in UC publications, or specifically authorized by a UC Adviser. If information or advice not conforming to these limitations is given and results in legal action, the individual must bear all responsibility. Master Gardeners serving in official volunteer capacity are exempt from the requirement of the California Department of Food and Agriculture for certification as a Pest Control Adviser and the associated requirements for record keeping and reporting.
Are there any fees required to participate in the Master Gardener program?
A nominal fee is charged to cover the cost of the training materials, binder, and incidental class supplies. (Anticipated fees for the 2008 class are approximately $150.) The fee is subject to change each year but is kept to a minimal amount. Scholarships are available so no one will be prevented from participating in the program due to lack of money.
No special level of skills and/or knowledge is required The only requirement is a thirst for knowledge about gardening, the ability to complete the class room requirements and the dedication to give a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer time back to your community.
How can I find out more about the Master Gardeners and possibly join the Program?
Call the UCCE office in Watsonville at (831) 763-8040 for questions not covered in this material. If, after reading this material, you are interested in the MBMG Program, you can complete an application. Please download and print an application from the link at the top of this page and mail to the address below. You will then be contacted regarding an informational open house and a personal interview.
MBMG Application Coordinator
308 Park Dr.
Aptos, CA 95403