Is becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer for you?

Individuals with an interest in both gardening and volunteer service are potential candidates for this program. No previous knowledge is required as formal training will be provided. This program will cover a wide array of gardening subjects.

• Increase your confidence and horticultural skills.
• Enable you to help the public with questions and problems involved with gardening.
• Help you contribute to your community.
• Give the pleasure and reward of working with others who share your interests.

Volunteers also participate in advanced Master Gardener training classes and field trips. The learning process and the opportunities never end.

• How do I apply to be a Master Gardener Volunteer?

  Contact your local OSU Extension county office for additional information about Oklahoma Master Gardener Program opportunities and activities in your area.

   

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

   

  The program offers a minimum of 48 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. Instruction will take place over the course of 10 weeks, about 4 hours each week.

   

  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. Interns agree to donate between 40 to 56 hours of volunteer time to the horticulture program over 1 year to become a Certified Master Gardener. Many Master Gardeners far surpass the mandatory service hours and continue to participate in the program on a yearly basis.

   

  Certified 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.

   

  To remain active and certified, 10 continuing education hours and 20 volunteer hours are required, dependent on county offices.

• What to expect as a Master Gardener Volunteer

  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.
  • Bring the joys of gardening to senior citizens or young children.

   

  Master Gardeners are representative of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Master Gardeners follow the research-based recommendations of the Cooperative Extension Service.

   

  The title Master Gardener can be used by volunteers only when engaged in Extension Service-sponsored activities.