The Tama County Master Gardener program, a part of the Iowa Master Gardener Program, is a group of trained volunteers organized by Iowa State University Extension.  After completing the Master Gardener program directed by ISU Extension, Master Gardeners share their horticulture knowledge and time with other gardeners.

The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to provide unbiased research-based horticulture information to citizens of Iowa, by offering a volunteer training program.  After completing their training, the master gardener volunteers use their knowledge to coordinate community horticulture projects.

A Master Gardener trainee should show an interest in gardening and have a desire to learn and share horticulture knowledge and skills with other gardeners.  It is this  horticulture knowledge, gardening expertise and the sharing with their community that makes a Master Gardener.

The first Master Gardener program was organized in Washington State in 1972.  Because of the great number of request for horticulture information, and extension agent designed the program of trading specialized training in horticulture for a pledge to spend a specified number of hours doing volunteer work for the extension sharing this horticulture information.  The first Master Gardener Program in Iowa was organized in 1977 in Scott County.

 How to Become a Master Gardener

The first step to becoming a Master Gardener begins with a Master Gardener training program.  Following graduation, participants become Master Gardener Interns.  To be promoted to full Master Gardener, interns will give 40 hours of volunteer service to the community sharing their knowledge of horticulture.  In the following years to remain an active Master Gardener member, at least six hours of in-service education and six hours of volunteer service needs to be completed.

Iowa State University Master Gardener Program

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