Master Gardener Program

"Tour with the Masters" Annual Garden Tour is July 24! 

How do I have my soil tested?

Do you have a question for a Master Gardener?

--or-- if you are an Olmsted County resident, you may call the University of Minnesota Extension Office in Olmsted County at 507 328-6214.  An Extension Master Gardener will return your call within 72 hours.

Click on the links above to find out more!

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What is the Master Gardener Program?

The Master Gardener program in Minnesota is an educational program designed to train volunteers to help other people in their communities with horticulture. The program was created in 1977 and is administered by the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Most counties in Minnesota have active Master Gardeners. Volunteers receive professional training in home horticulture by university specialists in exchange for volunteer time. This training sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners and allows them to be effective resources in their local communities. Working with local county Extension offices, Master Gardener activities benefit schools, community education programs, garden centers, farmer's markets, historical sites, and many other programs.

Do you want to be a Master Gardener?  (Registration for the 2014 Master Gardener Core Course will begin in October.  Please contact Kay Erwin at kerwin@umn.edu to receive application information for the 2014 core course.)

To become a Master Gardener, you first must enroll and be accepted in your local county Extension program. Upon acceptance in your home county, you then take the Master Gardener Core Course (see below), taught in the winter.

Master Gardeners are required to volunteer 50 hours the first year and 25 hours annually thereafter. Active volunteers are also asked to participate in continuing education of 5-12 hours per year, depending on the county in which they volunteer.

Some activities of Master Gardeners include:

• teaching classes and workshops
• answering phone inquiries concerning home horticulture
• assisting with county Horticulture Days
• guiding and supervising community plantings and school gardens
• teaching and judging youth horticulture projects
• media interviews and articles on horticulture topics
• speaking to schools and youth groups on gardening topics
• holding plant clinics at garden centers and farmers' markets
• representing the program at county and state fair exhibits

Registration for the 2011 Master Gardener Core Course is closed.  Contact Kay Erwin at:  kerwin@umn.edu or (507) 328-6214 if you would like to be contacted in late 2011 for 2012 Core Course Information.