August 29, 2001
Stillwater Gazette
Betsy Halden

How to become a master gardener

Have you wondered what it means to be a Washington County Master Gardener? How much you have to know? Does it mean you are an expert? What is required to enter the program? Many Washington County gardeners have asked these questions.

What does it mean to be a Washington County Master Gardener? I asked several active Master Gardeners. Marge Sagstetter, Lake Elmo, said, “The Master Gardener program has provided me the opportunity for continuous learning. I love to learn. The program has also allowed me to express my commitment to the community.” Neal Bealka, Stillwater, offered, “The Master Gardener program allows gardeners to get together with other serious gardeners and share information.“ Neal added, “It gives you a means to share and pass on information you have learned from classes over the years.” Joan Newman, Stillwater, commented, “I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with gardeners of different ages and abilities. I love the variety of experiences. It has been especially rewarding to work with disabled people and see them be successful with their gardening.”

What are the requirements to enter the Master Gardener program? They are simple. You must have an active interest in plants and gardens. You must be willing to share this interest with others. You must be able to attend the classroom training or core course sessions, complete an internship of 50 hours of volunteer time plus eight continuing education hours the first year.

Here are the specifics for applying to the Washington County Master Gardener program. Enrollment in the Washington County Master Gardener Program is open to Washington County residents only. Residents of other counties should apply to their home county. The purpose and mission of the program is to share research-based gardening information with the public to enhance their quality of life and the environment. The Washington County Master Gardener office is currently accepting applications for the 2001 Master Gardener Core Course training. The application deadline is September 17, 2001.

The Metro Master Gardener Core Course will be held at the Anoka County Extension Office, Bunker Hills Blvd, Andover, MN. Classes will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Saturdays 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, January 8 through February 2, 2002. Course topics will include fruits, herbaceous plants, home landscaping, house plants, insects, lawns, pesticide safety issues, plant diseases, pruning, soils, structure and function of plants, trees, shrubs and vines, vegetables, and wildlife. The following enrollment option are offered:

University Credit Option:
The University credit enrollment option is designed for anyone wishing to take the course without becoming a Master Gardener volunteer. University credit enrollment requires no volunteer commitment. To take the course for University credit, register directly with the College of Continuing Education. For registration information, please call 612.624.4000.

Master Gardener Program
This option is open to those who are accepted into the Master Gardener program. Cost is $85 plus a signed commitment for a minimum return of 50 volunteer service hours in the Washington County Master Gardener Program during the year 2001. Forty of those 50 volunteer hours must be spent in the five core activities central to the Washington County Master Gardener mission. The five central core activities are as follows:
1. Staffing information booths at garden centers
2. Answering “Yard & Garden Line” calls
3. Serving the public in the Plant Diagnostic Clinic
4. Teaching courses in community education
5. Volunteering at the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens at the Washington County Fairgrounds, Wilder Forest, or Carpenter Nature Center.

The Washington County Master Gardener program offers members opportunities for continuing education. Monthly meetings or update sessions are normally held on the 4th Thursday of each month from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Master Gardener volunteers must attend a minimum of four update sessions a year. First year Master Gardeners are required to complete a minimum of 8 education hours, while continuing volunteers must complete 12 education hours annually. Volunteers who are unable to complete 50 hours of service and 8 education hours by October 31, 2002 will be billed for the core course at the University rate.

Each year the Washington County Master Gardener office receives more applications than the program can assimilate. Washington County will accept a maximum of 12 new volunteers for the 2002 season. The selection process is as follows:

1. Based on a review of the information provided on the application, the applications received will be screened to a maximum of 20 finalists for the Master Gardener entrance exam. During the last week of September, all applicants will receive preliminary screening results. Those selected to continue in the process will receive a study packet of 6 University of Minnesota Extension Service bulletins to prepare for the written examination.

2. Finalists will be required to take the Master Gardener entrance exam. Applicants will be informed of the time and location by the Washington County Extension Office.

The Master Gardener entrance exam will consist of questions based on the study packet materials. Following the exam, a team of two Master Gardeners will interview applicants. The final applicant selection will be based on careful analysis of 1) test scores, 2) interviews, and 3) application information.

Upon acceptance, new volunteers will receive core course registration forms to complete and sent to the state Master Gardener office with the $85 materials fee. An orientation session for new volunteers will be held in November.

If you are interested in applying for the Master Gardener program, please call Washington County Extension Service office, 651.430.6803 or FAX your request to 651.430.6801.

Betsy Halden is a Master Gardener with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. University of Minnesota Extension Service materials were consulted in the preparation of this column. You can reach Betsy Halden at eahalden@comcast.net