Master Gardener Program

Florida Master Gardeners are professionally trained volunteers who share unbiased, research-based information about gardening with the community.

How to Become a Master Gardener

2013 Master Gardener Program Guide & Application

2013 Master Gardener Training:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am to 1pm
August and September

History of the Master Gardener Program

The Master Gardener Program was created in 1972 when an innovative Extension Service Agent in Washington State realized that well-trained volunteers could respond to many homeowner questions, freeing him and his colleagues for more technical and difficult problems. Since that time, the Master Gardener Program has grown to include all 50 States and Canada.

The Florida Master Gardener Program began in 1979, and is part of the Extension Service of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) in cooperation with the USDA and county governments.

The Baker County Master Gardener Program began in 1992 and has trained over 50 volunteers. Currently, Baker County has 12 active Master Gardener volunteers.

What do Master Gardeners do?

Volunteer at the Extension Office, answering homeowner's plant questions
Create and maintain school garden projects and demonstration gardens
Speak to local groups about home gardening and give group tours of the Arboretum
Work with youth in the Jr. Master Gardener Program
Work to grow a crop in our greenhouse
Continue their gardening education through advanced trainings and educational field trips

Why Become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

Master Gardeners are citizens helping citizens who:

Improve the efficiency of the Extension Service and allow agents to develop proactive programs.
Extend knowledge of IFAS research-based gardening information to the community.
Learn and share principles and practices of environmental horticulture.
Volunteer to promote environmental awareness at a broad level.
Serve as ambassadors of goodwill for Baker County and the State of Florida.

What do our Master Gardener Volunteers Think?

Volunteering for the Master Gardener Program gives me the opportunity to meet people, practice gardening skills, keep current on the latest gardening trends, and share knowledge with others in the community. I also enjoy educational field trips to places that I wouldn't normally be able to go.

- Pat Collier, 9th year Master Gardener Volunteer

Volunteering for the Master Gardener Program gives me the opportunity to share something I love with other people, improve my own skills, and give back to the community. The benefits that I receive include lifelong learning, personal satisfaction, improved communication skills, comradery with the group, and lots of fun activities!

- Cindy Jenkins, 7th year Master Gardener Volunteer

Being a Master Gardener Volunteer has allowed me to learn more about gardening topics that interest me and help teach others about them too.

- Maggie Lyczak, 2nd year Master Gardener Volunteer

I enjoy the continued learning experience, sharing ideas with other Master Gardeners, learning new techniques for my own garden, and also helping friends and neighbors.

- Mary Ann Ray, 8th year Master Gardener Volunteer