New Washington County Master Gardener Training beginning Thursday May 30^th 2019 9:00am-12:00pm

• Do you like to learn about plants, growing things and gardening?
• Are you willing to participate in an intensive training program?
• Do you like working with people, sharing your knowledge, and offering help?
• Do you have time to train and volunteer in our community?
• Who are Master Gardeners?
• Master Gardeners are volunteers for local county horticulture extension programs. With training from UF/IFAS Extension, Master Gardeners are active in their communities, offering leadership and guidance in gardening projects of all types and sizes. The Florida Master Gardener Program has been around since 1979, and each year, approximately 4,700 Master Gardeners contribute a total of 420,000 hours of service, helping to make their communities better informed, more sustainable, and more beautiful.

What do Master Gardeners learn?

If you’re accepted into the Master Gardener training program, you’ll receive 50 hours or more of practical horticultural training on topics such as:

• Botany
• Plant pathology & integrated pest management
• Soil management & plant nutrition
• Growing garden vegetables, fruit crops, trees, & turf
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™
• Working with the public

The Master Gardener curriculum is presented over a 4-month period. Classes will be held each Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00pm CDT, beginning on May 30th at UF / IFAS Extension Washington County (Washington County Ag Center).

What do Master Gardeners do?

Once you’ve successfully completed training you’re required to volunteer a minimum of 75 hours the first year to achieve Master Gardener certification. After the first year, you are required to complete 25 volunteer hours and 10 continuing education hours yearly in order to re-certify. Master Gardeners work closely with the public, answering questions and providing guidance over the phone or in person, hosting and assisting with educational programming, participating in community and school garden projects and many other activities. Many Master Gardeners far exceed the required service hours, and continue in the program well beyond the first year because of their passion for gardening and willingness to help others in their community. UF/IFAS Extension provides advanced training to keep Masters Gardeners up to date on the latest horticultural information.

Where do you start?

The desire to help others is the first and absolute requirement. A personal commitment to complete the training and to serve the required volunteer service hours is equally important. Enrollment is limited.

Ability to use a computer and access to email is desired but not required.

Requirements to become a Master Gardener:

• Complete a Master Gardener Application (sprout kit) by May 15^th, 2019
• Pay a $150 Fee – covers course materials & trips (will be refunded immediately, if not selected)
• Complete interview & background check
• Complete 50 hours training (includes classroom and field classes)
• Complete 75 volunteer hours within the first year of certification through the Washington County Extension Office. Master Gardeners can fulfill their volunteer hours in a variety of ways, including: answering horticultural questions, participating in community and school garden projects, giving educational programs to the public, supporting youth activities, and more.

For any additional information, questions or obtaining a sprout kit call 850-638-6180, or download it at this link.

2019 master gardener application2 (00000003)

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