As a trained Master GardenerTM volunteer, you help educate and advise other home gardeners in your community. Many people new to Columbia County as well as inexperienced gardeners are interested in obtaining local gardening advice. Our informative training program focuses on such skills as diagnosing plant and insect problems, preparing soil for planting, identifying plants, and selecting ornamentals and varieties. More importantly, your knowledge gives you the confidence to share expertise with others. Being a Master GardenerTM volunteer is fun, interesting, and rewarding. You will be joining a community of like-minded, fun people, too!
To become a certified Master GardenerTM, participants must complete the application, return the packet of OSU forms, pay the $75 fee, attend the 11-week training classes, and give back 60 hours of volunteer service. There will be a variety of service opportunities available ranging from answering gardening questions from the public to working with schools and community groups. Anyone interested in horticulture/gardening can apply to the program.
To register for the training you would fill out the Columbia County Master Gardener Application, mail to our office along with the $75.00 class fee. Once you have registered we will send you a packet of OSU forms to be read, signed and returned to us on before the class. These forms are required to become a Columbia County Master Gardener. For more details, please read the Information letter.
The packet of OSU forms include:
Your registration is not complete until after we have received and reviewed your application and your OSU packet.
If you have a physical disability tha requires special considerations in order for you to attend the Master Gardener training, please notify Chip Bubl at 503-397-3462.
After twenty-one years of having the Master Gardener classes in St. Helens, Vernonia hosted the class in 2010. It was a wonderful class. After discussion with a number of people, we have decided to come back to Vernonia for the 2014 class. The classes will be held at the Vernonia Learning Center each Thursday from 9:30 am – 3 p.m. starting March 6th. 2014; there will be about 10 class days on successive weeks. Classes will start in March to avoid the worst weather and will go through early May. Cost of the class series will still be $75. Gardeners from all parts of the county are welcome.
The classes will cover vegetable and fruit gardening, soils and fertilizers, insect and disease identification and management, weed identification and management, and lots of other topics of interest to gardeners.
Payback projects (an obligation for all Master Gardeners™) will be focused in the Vernonia area and nearby communities. If you are interested in the Vernonia OSU Master Gardener program, please call the Extension office 503 397-3462 to get more information and to get on the mailing/email list.
Certification Requirements
Master Gardeners may remain actively involved as long as they wish. Recertification is required if they participate in garden clinics, but is not required to participate in Master Gardener activities. To maintain the Certified Master Gardener title each Master Gardener volunteer must complete a recertification test each year. 2013 Recertification Test-PDF; or Word Document
For current Master Gardeners, please remember to turn in your Volunteer Log Sheet (PDF or Word Doc, sample).
Many volunteers become members of the Columbia County Master GardenerTM Association which holds monthly meetings to enhance knowledge, plan activities, and socialize.
Here are some articles/information from and for our Master Gardeners.
2013 Event Schedule for CCMG.
The Columbia County Master GardenerTM Association is part of the non-profit Oregon Master GardenerTM Association. Anyone who has completed the Master GardenerTM training program and who wishes to join is welcome.
Membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month September through June. Meetings are mostly held at the Columbia County Extension office. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Columbia County Master Gardener Member Directory-revised 5/16/12 (dues paying members only).
The purpose of the Association is to: