Transcript How to Become a Master Gardener

How to Become a Master
Gardener
Presentation by Jean Arambula
The Master Gardener Program in
Georgia is a volunteer training
program designed to help
Extension agents transfer
research-based information about
gardening and related subjects to
the public by training home
gardeners. Through this program,
volunteers benefit from the
classes and ongoing training and
the opportunity to share
knowledge with others; the
agents and community benefit
from the service.
Reasons for Becoming a
Master Gardener
Credentials
Confidence in Skills
Quality of the training materials
Flexibility to do the type of volunteer
work you want
Projects
Education
Classroom Experience
Excellent training provided by the Extension organization.
Current Class session at the
Lowndes County Extension Office
The class meets twice a week, for
30 sessions-January 11-March 31
Taught by UGA Professors in the
classroom through live online
programs. Classes are archived for
later viewing.
Classroom Schedule
Some of the rewards one realizes for
being a Master Gardener
A Diverse Group of Friends
Bessie Smith
at Pinevale
Learning
Center
Garden
Above: Nell Ricketts’s table
setting at the Crescent
Left: Billy Wiggins teaching us
good safety and maintenance
habits for our tools
The Chance to Spread the Good Word
The Pinevale Learning Center,
an alternative school, is an
ongoing project of Grand Bay
Master Gardeners.
Spearheaded by Annie Barbas,
it is now being maintained by
the students, with Annie
advising on a regular basis.
The Garden Club Connection
Right: Tricia Lazarus, President of Grand Bay MG
and on the left, Vicki Fenstermaker, recording
secretary of GBMG, work in the Amaryllis Club
flower bed before the judging of the Beautiful
Garden Award, which the club won.
Valdosta is blessed to have had women with
enough foresight to save the Crescent when it
was set for demolition. It is now the home of the
Garden Center and several garden clubs that
oversee the house. Grand Bay Master Gardeners
has made it possible for members to expand
there knowledge and increase education
possibilities for the public.
How to find a program
http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/hort/extension/mastergardener
/
The Importance of the program
As limited budgets and downsizing in Extension continues to threaten program
availability, expansion, and staffing, the effective recruitment and retention of
volunteers to maintain these programs will be increasingly important. The Master
Gardener organization is a highly valued and sought after program that offers a
variety of volunteer opportunities and flexible hours. The quality of the training
materials and instruction by university experts from Extension are important
motivators to volunteers who wish to join the program.
Links
http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/hort/extension/mastergardener/GeorgiaMGFAQs.html
Job Descriptions
http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/hort/extension/mastergardener/MasterGardenerJobDescriptions.html
What counts
http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/hort/extension/mastergardener/MGVolunteerService.html
http://www.georgiamastergardeners.org/
http://www.grandbaymastergardeners.org