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The Master Gardener program is one of the most successful volunteer educational programs in the United States. Since its inception in 1972, the program has trained hundreds of thousands of volunteers to extend horticultural knowledge to home gardeners, schools, community organizations, and the general public.
The Master Gardener concept originated in Washington State in 1972 when Extension agents recognized they could not meet the growing demand for home gardening information alone. By training knowledgeable volunteers to assist with public inquiries, they created a model that would eventually spread to every state in the nation and several Canadian provinces.
According to the Extension Master Gardener Program, there are now over 95,000 active Master Gardener volunteers nationwide, contributing more than 5 million hours of community service annually. This remarkable growth demonstrates the enduring value of peer-to-peer gardening education.
Becoming a Master Gardener requires a significant commitment to learning. Trainees complete 50-60 hours of intensive classroom instruction covering topics including:
Following classroom training, new Master Gardeners complete volunteer service hours, typically at plant clinics, demonstration gardens, or community education events. Annual recertification requires continuing education and ongoing volunteer contributions.
Our chapter has been serving the local community for decades, providing free gardening advice, maintaining demonstration gardens, and hosting educational events. Our volunteers bring diverse backgrounds in agriculture, landscaping, home gardening, and related fields, united by a passion for plants and helping others succeed in their gardens.
We maintain close ties with the local university Extension Service, ensuring our recommendations reflect the latest research-based horticultural practices. This partnership gives our volunteers access to experts in plant pathology, entomology, and soil science who can help solve even the most challenging plant problems.
We base our recommendations on peer-reviewed research, not gardening myths or anecdotes. When you ask a Master Gardener a question, you can trust the answer reflects current scientific understanding.
We promote sustainable practices including integrated pest management, water conservation, composting, and creating wildlife habitat. Our goal is helping people garden in ways that benefit both their landscapes and the broader ecosystem.
At our core, we are volunteers who give our time freely to help others. This spirit of generosity and sharing defines everything we do.