What is the Master Gardener Program?

Agents in the Washington State Extension Service started the Master Gardener Program in 1972 by training volunteers to assist Cooperative Extension in distributing reliable, research-based educational gardening information. The program quickly spread into other areas in the United States and provinces in Canada. The program was initiated in Pennsylvania in 1980 with the first volunteers trained in 1982.The Penn State Master Gardener Program is one of the many volunteer services that are of part of Cooperative Extension. The program trains interested volunteers in horticulture and other gardening related areas, and the volunteers commit to sharing the knowledge with others in their communities. The training includes thirty hours of instruction in subjects such as biology, plant propagation, soil science, plant pathology, entomology, and integrated pest management. Other topics include pruning techniques, composting, and vegetable culture. After their training, Penn State Master Gardeners are ready to share their knowledge by answering gardening questions, working with demonstration gardens, presenting to various groups, and diagnosing plant problems. The first year after training, Penn State Master Gardeners volunteer for fifty hours. To remain active after the first year, they volunteer twenty hours a year and attend eight hours of update training.The Penn State Master Gardener Program is a benefit to the public because they are able to interact face to face with knowledgeable gardeners and receive research-based information. The Penn State Cooperative Extension also benefits from the efforts and volunteerism of the Penn State Master Gardeners because it allows county extension educators to work on other programs and reach a greater number of people.

Who are Penn State Master Gardeners?

Penn State Master Gardeners are your neighbors, fellow community group members, teachers, retirees, local business owners, parents, and gardeners. The program is open to all who are eager to learn more about gardening and want to share their knowledge with others. Those interested in becoming a Penn State Master Gardener in the Central Susquehanna Region should contact Elizabeth Overcash, Multi-County Coordinator for more details. More information about the program in other areas of Pennsylvania can be found at the statewide program's website.

Here's a little test to see if you have what it takes to become a Master Gardener.

For more information on the Penn State Master Gardener Program in the Central Susquehanna Region,
please contact Elizabeth Overcash, Multi-County Program Coordinator.