Mission Statement
The mission of the Penn State MG volunteer program is to support the Penn State Cooperative Extension by utilizing research-based information to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship.
What is the Master Gardener Program?
The Penn State University Master Gardener program was established to assist Cooperative Extension in reaching the consumer horticulture audience. The program provides interested individuals with extensive training in many phases of gardening. In return, participants dedicate volunteer time to teaching horticultural information based on university research and recommendations.
Training and volunteer service are coordinated at the county level by extension educators or trained volunteers. State wide functions are carried out by Ginger Pryor, State Master Gardener Coordinator and from the State Master Gardener Steering Committee.
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History
The program was initiated in 1972 in Seattle, Washington in response to questions posed to Cooperative Extension. David Gibby, an Extension Agent in King County, is credited for designing the Master Gardener program to meet the demand for reliable home gardening information.
The Master Gardener program was so successful in the state of Washington that it was adopted by many other states within a few years. Today, the program is active in 48 States, the District of Columbia, and three Canadian provinces.
Penn State Cooperative Extension adopted the Master Gardener program in 1982. Currently, there are 1400 volunteers within 58 of Pennsylvania’s counties.
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How to Become a Master Gardener
Interested home gardeners can apply through their local county extension office. Most counties use an interview and test process to select volunteers who have a strong interest in horticulture and the willingness to fulfill the volunteer commitment. The time and location of the training is decided by the county training.
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Volunteer Commitment
Volunteers chosen will complete a 30+ initial training program and volunteer 50 hours the first year. In subsequent years volunteers will complete 8 hours of update  training and volunteer 20 hours. Volunteer activities differ in each county of the state. In most counties, Master Gardeners spend time manning Garden Hotlines and answer garden questions that are phoned or brought into County Extension offices each day. Volunteers also present workshops, lectures, and demonstrations to garden clubs, school groups, civic organizations and the general public. They prepare home gardening newsletters, educational leaflets, and displays. Many Master Gardeners work with special audiences such as physically challenged adults, troubled teens, and youth at risk. For more information on the Master Gardener Program at Penn State please review the Policy Statement and Approved Volunteer Activities located below.
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Consumer Horticulture Site
Have a Garden Question? Looking for a Fact Sheet? The Consumer Horticulture site has that information.
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2007 Master Gardener In-Service
Click here for more information.
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