Welcome to the Winneshiek County Extension Master Gardener
Everything you need to know is only a click away, so have fun and look around!
FAQs about Winneshiek County Master Gardeners
The Iowa Extension Master Gardener Program is a large volunteer organization coordinated by Iowa State University Extension. Master Gardeners assist with horticulture-related programs and projects sponsored by ISU Extension.
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 volulnteer outreach work for extension. In Iowa, the program started in 1977 in Scott County (Davenport). To date, over 4,000 people, located in 97 of Iowa's 99 counties, have been trained as Master Gardeners.
There are Master Gardener Programs in 45 states and Canada. The National Master Gardener Organization sponsors a conference every other year.
What is a Master Gardener?
Master Gardeners are individuals who have an interest in horticulture, have taken Master Gardener training offered by the extension service and shared their time and expertise with gardeners. It is the acquisition of knowledge, the skill in gardening and going back to the community that distinguishes a Master Gardener from other gardeners.
The purpose of the Iowa Master Gardener Program is to provide unbiased, research-based horticultural information to the citizens of Iowa through the volunteer effects of Master Gardeners. Through their participation in educational activities, Master Gardeners also increase their own personal knowledge in horticulture. Master Gardeners are residents of a community who take an active interest in horticulture. They receive training in horticulture through the ISU Extension Service. In return for their training, Master Gardeners volunteer in extension horticulture programs and projects which enhance the community.
Master Gardeners provide many services to the ISU Extension Service 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 local county extension office, sponsoring lawn and garden shows, developing education 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, do radio 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 the Winneshiek County Extension Office at 563/382-2949.
Benefits of being an Iowa Master Gardener:
- You increase your knowlege of gardening and horticulture
- You are able to help others in your community
- You meet many interesting people who all share a common love of plants and gardening
- You keep current on the latest trends in horticulture through workshops, conferences, and newsletters.
Requirements-The requirements to become a Master Gardener include: completing the Master Gardener course with a $110.00 fee per individual to cover the cost of educational materials and a commitment to do 40 hours of extension service. Individuals take an intense training program that covers a wide range of horticulture areas: houseplants, garden flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs, fruits, soils, plant pathology and entomology.
Beginning on Tuesday, January 10th, ISU Extension in Winneshiek county will be hosting Master Gardener Training classes on various Tuesday and Thursday evenings through March 2, 2006 at the Winneshiek County Extension Office located at 911 S. Mill Street. One class session will be held on a Saturday at the ISU campus in Ames.
For information about the local Master Gardner course contact - The Winneshiek County Extension Office, at 563-382-2949 or email the office at winneshiek@iastate.edu.