mission

Mission Statement

Use research-based horticulture and gardening knowledge and practices to educate people and coordinate projects that promote healthy communities.  Click here to view our logic model to learn more.

View Master Gardener service hour totals by county:

|2020| |2019| |2018| |2017| |2016| |2015| |2014| |2013| |2012| |2011| |2010| |2009| |2008| |2007| |2006| |2005| |2004| |2003| |2002|

Staff

Susan DeBlieck, State Master Gardener Coordinator, mgardener@iastate.edu

History

Since 1979 more than 15,130 people have completed the Master Gardener volunteer training thanks to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Extension Master Gardeners is an internationally recognized volunteer program. The program exists in all fifty states, and in Iowa is coordinated by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach with support from the Department of Horticulture.

The first Master Gardener Program was initiated in King County, Washington 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 first piloted in Scott County in 1979. Today, there are Master Gardeners in more than 80 of the state’s counties. Each year Iowa Master Gardeners provide more than 100,000 hours of volunteer service back to their communities. Read more about About Master Gardener Program