Master Gardener Volunteers are experienced gardeners who want to learn more about growing plants. They receive extensive training through the Cooperative Extension Service. In exchange, they volunteer their knowledge and expertise to the gardening public.

 

The Master Gardeners of Noble County would like you to attend the monthly meeting on the 4th Monday of each month. Meetings are held at the Noble County Fairgrounds  in the Show Arena Office at 1:00 p.m. To become an official Master Gardener, the completion of a Master Gardener Training class (minimum 40 hours) plus 40 hours of volunteer work are required. For more information, contact the Noble County OSU Extension office at (580) 336-4621.

 

Is the Master Gardener Program for You?

To help you decide if you should apply to be a Master Gardener ask yourself 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 intense training program?
• Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
• Do I have enough time to attend training and to serve as a volunteer?

If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you.

 

Training

If accepted into the Master Gardener program in your county, you will attend a Master Gardener training course. Extension Service staff, local experts and master gardener volunteers teach classes.

 

The program offers a minimum of 45 hours of instruction that covers topics including lawns; ornamental trees and shrubs; insect, disease and weed management; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable gardening; home fruit production; garden flowers; and water conservation.

 

You will receive a Master Gardener Manual of comprehensive horticulture subjects.

 

Volunteer Commitment

Once you successfully complete the training program and pass the final exam, you will begin a volunteer internship. Certified Master Gardener trainees agree to donate between 45 - 56 hours of volunteer time to the Horticulture program. This is where you will really learn more about plants and people. Many Master Gardeners far surpass the mandatory service hours and continue to participate in the program on a yearly basis.

Master Gardeners are resource people for horticultural questions that come in to their local Extension centers. Their efforts multiply the capabilities of county Extension educators.

 

What types of Volunteer Activities Exist?

The opportunities for volunteer service are limitless:

• diagnose plant, insect, and disease problems,
• staff plant clinics and educational exhibits,
• operate a telephone hotline in your local county Extension center,
• design a demonstration or community garden,
• lecture on various gardening topics; and
• bring the joys of gardening to senior citizens or young children.

Master Gardeners are representatives of OSU Extension. Master Gardeners follow the research-based recommendations of Extension. The title Master Gardener can be used by volunteers only when engaged in Extension Service-sponsored activities.