By James Romer
Horticulturist
Iowa State University Extension
The recent weather may have turned our thoughts from green and growing plants to finding the ice melt and snow shovels. However, the Spring Master Gardener Training session will be starting in a few short weeks! Master Gardeners are individuals who have an interest in horticulture, have taken the Master Gardener training offered by Iowa State University Extension and share their time and expertise with other gardeners. It is the acquisition of knowledge, the skill in gardening and giving back to the community that distinguishes a Master Gardener from other gardeners.
The purpose of the Iowa Master Gardener Program is to provide sound horticultural information to the citizens of Iowa through the volunteer efforts of Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are residents of a community who take an active interest in horticulture. They receive training in horticulture through ISU Extension. In return for their training, Master Gardeners volunteer in ISU Extension horticulture programs and projects that enhance the community.
The first Master Gardener Program was initiated in Washington State in 1972. In response to overwhelming requests for horticulture information, the extension agent came up with the idea of trading specialized training in horticulture for a commitment to spend a specified number of hours doing volunteer outreach work for Extension. The Iowa Master Gardener program was piloted in Scott County in 1979. To date, more than 9,000 Iowans have been trained in the program.
The requirements to become a Master Gardener include a $125 fee to cover the cost of educational materials and a commitment to do 40 hours of extension service. Individuals receive instruction in a wide range of horticulture and related areas: houseplants, flowers, turfgrass, vegetables, woody landscape plants, plant propagation, fruits, soils, wildlife management, pesticide safety/ integrated pest management, plant pathology and entomology. The training is offered in locations listed below throughout the state in the fall and spring semesters. Sessions last for three hours and usually are held twice a week. Instructors are state and local ISU Extension specialists as well as knowledgeable local gardeners. After completing the training program, individuals become Master Gardener Interns. They are promoted to the title of Master Gardener upon completion of their 40-hour service commitment. Master Gardeners can remain active members in following years by attending six or more hours of in-service education and contributing six hours or more of volunteer community service.
Master Gardeners provide many services to ISU Extension and their communities. They use their knowledge, talents and skills on various projects and activities, such as: answering horticultural questions and phone calls at their ISU Extension county office, sponsoring lawn and garden shows, developing educational displays and giving horticultural presentations. Master Gardeners also assist with youth gardening programs, help manage farmers' markets and community gardens, plant demonstration and city beautification gardens, assist at public gardens, conduct horticulture therapy programs at nursing homes, write newspaper columns, participate in radio call-in programs and assist with the coordination and management of the local Master Gardener program.
Besides the educational and community service aspect of the Master Gardener program, gardeners get to know others with similar interests. They share their gardening experiences and, occasionally, their plants. If you are interested in becoming an Iowa Master Gardener, contact your ISU Extension county office. Master Gardener training sites and contact information for Spring 2009 are listed below. Sessions will be held in the indicated counties. Information on times and locations is available at the ISU Extension county office in each county at the phone number listed below.
Bremer County, (319) 882-4275
Buchanan County, (319) 334-7161
Carroll County, (712) 792-2364
Dubuque County, (563) 583-6496
Henry County, (319) 385-8126
Jackson County, (563) 652-4923
Lee County, (319) 835-5116
Lucas County, (641) 774-2016
Mahaska/Monroe/Wapello counties (joint session), Mahaska (641) 673-5841, Monroe (641) 932-5612, Wapello (641) 682-5491
Marshall County, (641) 752-1551
Montgomery County, (712) 623-2592
Polk County, (515) 957-5760
Shelby County, (712) 755-3104
Sioux County, (712) 737-4230
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