The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener™ program in Josephine County educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants.
OSU Extension Master Gardeners are volunteer educators, neighbors, and on-the-ground researchers who serve their community with solid training in science-based, sustainable gardening and a love of lifelong learning.
What does a Master Gardener volunteer do?
Volunteer educator
Master Gardener volunteers are community educators. Some of the ways they serve in their communities, both online and in person, include:
- staff community events and answer gardening questions to the public
- research answers to gardening questions at county extension offices
- develop online training workshops for local gardeners
- demonstrate sustainable gardening techniques at county fairs, home and garden shows
- manage and work in demonstration gardens with fellow Master Gardener volunteers and community members
- support school gardening with educational components and hands-on activities
Training
In their first year, all Master Gardener trainees complete a university-taught course about gardening. Typical topics include:
- botany essentials
- soil management
- plant nutrition
- pest identification and control
- diagnosis of plant problems
- growing vegetables
- sustainable landscape design
- fruit trees
- pollinators
In years following their first, Master Gardeners take continuing education courses to keep current on new and regionally relevant gardening information. These courses may include webinars, hands-on workshops, and online or in person classes and lectures.
If you want to learn about horticulture but can't commit to the full Master Gardener Volunteer program, you may want to enroll in OSU's 12-week Online Certificate of Home Horticulture course. Information can be found at here: https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/course/master-gardener-online.
