ANR-1120, New Aug 1998. Mary Beth Musgrove, Extension Associate, Horticulture, Auburn University

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Alabama Master Gardener Volunteer Program Helping Alabama Grow

What is the Master Gardener Program?

The Alabama Master Gardener Volunteer Program is an educational program offered through county offices of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Through this program, individuals are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas. These individuals, in turn, volunteer their expertise and services to help others through horticultural projects that benefit the community.

The Master Gardener Program trains volunteers, who work through Extension, to bring the latest horticultural information and practices from the world of research to their communities' landscapes and gardens.

Through the Master Gardener program, thousands of people in the United States and Canada have been trained as volunteers.

How did the Master Gardener Program begin?

The concept of Master Gardener volunteer training began more than 25 years ago. Overwhelmed by requests for gardening information, Seattle Extension agent David Gibby recruited home gardeners. In exchange for specialized training in horticulture, these gardeners made a commitment to spend time doing volunteer outreach work.

What does the Master Gardener Program provide?

The Alabama Master Gardener training program provides more than 40 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction in horticulture and related areas. The classes provide home gardeners with the information they need to become skilled Master Gardeners.

Classes in the training program include

Landscape Design	Plant Propagation
Lawn Care	Vegetable Gardening
Houseplants	Soil Science
Plant Selection	Weed Control
Environmental Conservation	Annuals and Perennials

Courses are taught by Specialists from Auburn University and Alabama A&M University, Extension agents from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, local specialists, and veteran Master Gardeners.

What does the Master Gardener Program require?

In exchange for the training, participants are obligated to return an equal amount of volunteer service time on projects that benefit their communities. These projects can range from working on community horticultural projects, to helping answer questions through the county Extension office, to conducting garden club programs.

When and where is the Master Gardener training course offered?

The Master Gardener training program is most often taught during a 10- to 12-week period in the fall or winter. A minimal registration fee, which varies from county to county, is charged to cover the cost of the training manual and supplies.

To find out if your county has a Master Gardener Volunteer Program, contact your county Extension office.

• Motivatedto share their knowledge and expertise.
• Accessible to other Master Gardeners, horticulture and Extension professionals, and the public.
• Service-oriented to enhance their communities and the environment.
• Trained by Cooperative Extension in current horticultural practices.
• Excited about meeting other people who enjoy gardening
• Research ambassadors who provide cutting-edge horticultural information to consumers.

Master Gardeners touch lives through:

• Community landscape beautification projects
• Horticulture therapy, which provides physical, emotional, and mentally stimulating benefits to those whose opportunities are severely limited
• Community vegetable gardens
• School landscape and classroom projects
• Environmental awareness education

Return your completed form to the county Extension office nearest you.

YES, I would like to become a Master Gardener volunteer!

Please send me information about the next training program and a Master Gardener Program application form.

Name:
Mailing Address:
City:	State:	Zip:
Phone Number: (day)
Phone Number: (evening)