Welcome
Welcome to the Junior Master Gardener® program. The curriculum provides a hands-on approach to learning horticulture, environmental science, leadership, and life skills. This program is committed to helping young people become gardeners and contributing citizens.
Who Can Participate in JMG?
Everyone! We only ask that the teacher/leader be willing to work with youth! The JMG® leader does not have to be a Master Gardener to lead a JMG® group. If the leader needs garden resources and information, they can contact the local county Extension service for support. JMG® groups are organized through public/private schools, home school groups, and after-school programs. Many groups utilize the JMG® program in their 4-H clubs, YMCA activities, Girl Scout and Boy Scout badge work.
Flexibility is a key component of the JMG® program. JMG® activities allow the teacher/leader and youth gardeners to customize the JMG® program to meet their needs and interests. JMG® can be utilized by many different groups and age levels. The program targets two levels:
Level 1: Grades 3-5
Level 2: Grades 6-8
JMG Curriculum
JMG Level 1 - for grades 3-5
A youth handbook and teacher/leader guide supports the JMG® program. The curriculum consists of 8 chapters: Plant Growth and Development, Soils and Water, Ecology and Environmental Horticulture, Insects and Diseases, Landscape Horticulture, Fruits and Nuts, Vegetables and Herbs, and Life Skills/Career Exploration.
Our Golden Ray Seriessm provides youth gardeners the chance to learn in-depth specific areas of horticulture and environmental sciences. The first Golden Ray Seriessm release, "Health and Nutrition from the Garden," is now available. This book contains hands on garden related activities to teach gardening basics, growing techniques, thrifty gardeners, food safety, ABC's of healthful eating, and healthful snacks.
The second installment of the Golden Ray Seriessm, "Literature in the Garden," focuses on cultivating a connection to children's literature while relating them to gardens. The third book of the series, "Wildlife Gardener" is the combined resources of the National Wildlife Federation and the Junior Master Gardener Program along with the valuable input from pilot teachers and students across the country have helped to shape Wildlife Gardener into an integrated, engaging, and one-of-a-kind experience for kids.
JMG Level 2 - for grades 6-8
Two teacher/leader guides support the level two JMG® program. "Operation Thistle" focuses on plant growth and development while engaging them in an group activities to defeat Dr. Thistle. "Operation W.A.T.E.R." focuses on soil and water concepts while investigating a new mystery.
Become a Certified Junior Master Gardener
Certification is the highest level of program participation, and includes certification in all eight units. To be certified youth must complete one group and one individual activity in each learning concept. Level one contains 44 learning concepts. Youth must also complete one leadership/service-learning project per chapter. When youth complete these activities the JMG® teacher/leader sends in the completion form that lists the names of the children who have met the program requirements. This form is found in the teacher/leader appendix, starting on page 217. When JMG® office receives the completion form, a completion certificate for each JMG® youth will be sent to the JMG® teacher/leader.
JMG® certification medals are a great recognition item for youth and can be ordered through the JMG® shop.
Or... Complete a Golden Ray Series
The Golden Ray Series is recognition offered to youth that complete a small part of the Level One JMG program. Groups can choose to focus on one chapter or topic.
Youth can receive Golden Ray Series certification in any of the eight chapters of the Level One Core Curriculum and/or from any of the golden ray curriculum including Health and Nutrition from the Garden, Wildlife Gardener, or Literature from the Garden.
- Belong to a registered JMG group.
- Complete any combination of 12 activities in a single chapter(from teacher guide, youth handbook or a combination of both) or from other Golden Ray Series curricula.
- Complete one life skill/career exploration activity from chapter eight.
- Participate in one community service project.
Golden Ray Recognition medals are available for youth who achieve certification and can be ordered through the JMG® shop.
How Do I Get Registered?
To become a registered JMG® group:
- Have a minimum of five youth in a group.
- Have one or more adult leaders or teachers for the group.
- Have a suitable meeting facility (ie: classroom, garden area, etc.).
- Fill out enrollment packet - this is in the Appendix (pg. 217) or downloadable from here.
- JMG® Volunteer Enrollment Form and JMG Registration Agreement
- JMG® Group Enrollment Form
- Send completed enrollment packet to the state JMG® office.
- When your enrollment packet is received your group will receive a certificate showing that the group is a registered program. The enrollment packet does not obligate all youth to become registered Junior Master Gardeners. It simply recognizes that youth at a particular site are participating in the JMG® program.
Why Should I Register My Group?
Registering your group is fast and free. You are not obligated to the Junior Master Gardener® program (no annual fees, you aren't obligated to complete the entire program, etc.). Registering gives us a way of knowing where our program is working and how we can provide program updates and information to you. The greatest advantage to registering your group is that registered groups may submit pictures to be added to their very own web page within the National JMG® web site.
The JMG Shop
It is the sole provider of the JMG® curriculum along with a variety of JMG® merchandise.
On-line at www.jmgkids.org
Toll Free at 1-888-JMG-KIDS
By Fax at 1-979-695 - 8498
By Mail: Connexion Enterprises, LLC
1515 Emerald Plaza
College Station, TX 77845