MEEKS: All about the Master Gardener program

Over 40 years ago, Washington State Cooperative Extension founded the Master Gardener program in order to meet the overwhelming demand for gardening information. In exchange for specialized training in horticulture, home gardeners committed some of their time doing outreach volunteer work for the extension office.

The Master Gardener program has grown since then, spreading across the United States and Canada. There are similar programs in the United Kingdom, Australia and other counties.

In Georgia, the Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program is operated through local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices. The ultimate goal of the Master Gardener Extension Volunteer program is to help the extension office extend its outreach into the community, providing unbiased, research-based information to the public.

The main reason for someone becoming a Master Gardener Extension volunteer is to combine volunteering with their love of gardening and horticulture. In order to become a Master Gardener, you must submit an application to your local extension office.

To obtain an application, please contact our office. Applications will be accepted from now until Dec. 1. During the month of December, we conduct interviews. The interviews are more of a face-to-face meeting instead of a traditional interview. This allows us time to explain the program in depth and answer questions. Applicants will know by the end of December if they have been accepted into the program.

Master Gardener trainees (applicants who have been accepted into the program) must complete at least 40 hours of classroom instruction, pass midterm and final exams and complete 50 hours of volunteer work their first year.

After the first year, a Master Gardener Extension volunteer must complete 25 volunteer hours to maintain an active status. It may sound like a lot, but we have many Master Gardeners who complete more than the required number of hours every year.

Classes begin Feb. 4 and will be held every Thursday until April 21. Most days classes run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Classes are mostly taught lecture style with some hands-on learning by UGA Extension specialists, local UGA county agents, arborists and other professionals. Trainees also will travel to UGA campuses.

Here in Houston County we have more than 80 Master Gardener Extension volunteers. Master Gardeners provide tremendous help in the extension office and in projects throughout the community.

Some of the projects that Master Gardeners are involved in include Halfey Park Educational Garden in Perry, the Healing Garden at Perry Hospital, the Junior Master Gardener Programs in many elementary and middle schools, vegetable gardening at Grace Village, landscaping houses for Habitat for Humanity in Warner Robins, Ask A Master Gardener booths at public events such as the Dogwood Festival and at farmers' markets, the Spring Home and Garden Show, plant sales, the Garden Bench newsletter and site visits.

Our office is now accepting applications for 2016 Master Gardener class. Anyone interested in becoming a Master Gardener Extension volunteer should contact our office. For more information about the program, please ask for Charlotte or Teddie.

For more information on any program area, contact Houston County Extension at 478-987-2028 or drop by our office in the old courthouse, downtown Perry, 801 Main St. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit our website at www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston for more news about your local Extension office.

For more information on any program area, contact the Houston County Extension at 478-987-2028 or visit the office in Perry at 801 Main St. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the website at www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston for more news about your local extension office.

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 10:34 PM with the headline "MEEKS: All about the Master Gardener program ."