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> Education > Master Gardener
Master Gardener |  | |
What is a Master Gardener?
Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, gardens, environment and community at large. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and share their knowledge and training with others. What really sets them apart from other home gardeners is their special horticultural training. The program is conducted by the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In exchange for training, Master Gardeners commit time as volunteers working to provide horticulture-related information to their community.
How to Become a Connecticut Master Gardener.
To become a certified Connecticut Master Gardener you must first have an interest in plants and gardening. You must also be able to attend the training program and provide 60 hours of volunteer service. Most of all, you must be willing to help others. Classes are taught by horticulturists and University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension educators and specialists. The program offers 65 hours of classroom work and 60 hours of volunteer service under the supervision of Master Gardener mentors. Subject matter includes basic botany/plant physiology, plants and the environment, soils, IPM, lawns, woody ornamentals, vegetable gardening, small fruit and tree fruit culture. The training is given each year from January to April. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Center for specific locations, dates and times. In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer 60 hours in authorized outreach projects. Of this 60 hours, 30 must be served at the Plant Clinic which is held at the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens during the summer months. It provides Master Gardener interns with an opportunity to answer questions and to assist the community in garden-related topics. Master Gardeners also speak to local groups, conduct workshops and help in creating and establishing community garden plots. Others work with local school groups, the disabled, the elderly, or as leaders of other community service organizations. Participants who complete the classroom work, pass the exam and fulfill their volunteer service will receive a certificate of recognition. Only those receiving this certificate will be entitled to call themselves Extension Master Gardeners. Application forms and further information are available from the Master Gardener Coordinator at the Bartlett Arboretum, at 203-322-6971, ext. 18. Once you receive your certificate of recognition, Master Gardeners continue to share their knowledge and experience with others. Mentoring future classes and projects, further educating the general public about gardening concerns and issues are just a few of the ways Extension Master Gardeners continue to participate in their communities. Numerous Master Gardeners become "Master Gardener Volunteers" at the Bartlett Arboretum to continue to learn, and to further support the gardens, natural areas and collections used in the horticultural programs at the Arboretum.
The Advanced Master Gardener program is available to further your skills and knowledge. The program requires you to accrue 20 hours of class time, with a volunteer commitment of two hours of outreach for every hour of class time taken, to be accomplished over a 3-year period. For continued support and activities, consider becoming a member of the Connecticut Master Gardeners Association (CMGA). Further information on advanced classes or the CMGA may be obtained by contacting the Master Gardener Coordinator at the Bartlett Arboretum, at 203-322-6971, ext. 18.
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