Looking at how the Master Gardeners program began

I have been getting so many calls and emails regarding our Master Gardener program and upcoming class. I thought I would give you a history of the Master Gardener program.

The Master Gardener program actually started in 1972 in the state of Washington because so many people were calling David Gibby and William Scheer there for information. They knew some type of teaching program had to be initiated.

Washington State University Extension initially assigned horticulture faculty to county offices as part of the Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H outreach education programs, with emphasis of the horticulture part was crop production. It was not until rapid urban growth and the burgeoning interest in gardening that the extension began to develop programs emphasizing urban horticulture.

First programs concentrated on major populated areas

So, in 1971 Gibby and Scheer (both extension agents) started separate assignments in the major populated areas. They focused, respectively, on urban and commercial horticulture. Public demand for information about plant problems was so intense it made educational programming for either of them virtually impossible.

In the beginning they used the mass media to solve the problem, resulting in television and radio shows that were put on by Gibby, making the public more aware that the extension office was the place to get help.

So here is where the volunteer idea came about. They explored all thoughts to address the needs of the backyard gardener most effectively. One of the approaches considered was the concept of recruiting and training volunteers to serve the urban population. They wanted a distinguished title, however. Coming to mind was “Gartenmeister,” which they anglicized as “Master Gardener (MG).” This title would be appropriate for volunteers who had received extensive training. Initially the Western Washington Research and Extension Center rejected the idea of training volunteers. But a trial was established at the Tacoma Mall, which was very successful. They were convinced, and training was in the making.

An article was published asking “Wanted: Expert Gardeners to Become Master Gardeners.” Six hundred applied, with 200 being trained.

Subjects taught were culture of ornamental plants; lawns; vegetables and fruits; control of plant diseases; insects and weeds, and safe use of pesticides. Sessions were to be held 8 hours per day, one day a week, for five weeks. At the end of the training, volunteers were required to pass subject matter exams, as well as an exam for pesticide licensing by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Master Gardeners donate specific numbers of hours

The successful Master Gardeners were then committed to volunteering a specified number of hours working with the gardening public. Faculty specialists from the WWREC and county facility participated in teaching.

Sharon Collman, who had been working as program assistant with Gibby, became King County Extension agent and continued managing the program for several years. She is credited with building a solid foundation for the program and she helped other extension offices establish Master Gardener programs in Washington and in other states. All this while others were promoting the Master Gardener program nationwide. The idea caught on quickly and in 1986 Ohio had its beginning. As of this date, 62 of the 88 counties (urban, suburban, and rural) have the Master Gardener program. Sandusky and Ottawa counties are combined.

Master Gardener is now in all 50 states

Master Gardeners are active in all 50 states. There are more than 95,000 active extension Master Gardeners who provide about 5 million volunteer service hours per year to their communities.

After the volunteer is accepted into the Master Gardener program they are trained by cooperative extension, university and local industry specialists in subjects such as taxonomy; plant pathology; soil health; entomology; cultural growing requirements; sustainable gardening; nuisance wildlife management, and integrated pest management.

The training is about 50 hours and the participants must pass all quizzes and examinations with a cumulative average of 70% or better. In addition, they complete 50 hours of volunteer time on projects pre-approved by the Master Gardener coordinator. This must be completed within one calendar year after their formal training. To stay active, the new member must do the following every year: pay local association dues, complete 20 hours of volunteer time, and complete 10 hours of educational time which will be provided locally but is also available at state and national conferences.

The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program provides intensive training in horticulture to interested Ohio residents who then volunteer their time assisting with educational programs and activities for Ohio residents through their local OSU Extension County office. Gardening skills and knowledge are not required, only a passion for learning.

Volunteers provide educational services to the community such as answering gardening questions from the public; conduct plant clinics; gardening activities with children, senior citizens, or disabled persons; beautifying the community; developing community or demonstration gardens; and other horticultural activities.

If you are asking yourself “Would I make a good Master Gardener volunteer?”

You could qualify if

● you want to learn more about plants and gardening; ● you are eager to participate in a practical and intensive training program; ● you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others; and ● you have time to attend training and serve your community as a volunteer educator.

There is a fee for the training. It covers the costs of training materials and other expenses the county may incur to conduct training and to help support educational activities. Fees vary from county to county.

To volunteer for any Ohio State University Extension program, you must first complete a background check and interview with the extension professionals. Yearly expenses will be $10 to the state and $10 to the county for membership dues.

Did this information spark an interest for you? Why not give us a call and sign up for the next Master Gardener class this coming fall. Our phone number is 419-334-6340.

Susan La Fountaine is a Master Gardener with the Sandusky and Ottawa County Extension Offices.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Ohio's Master Gardener program began in 1986