The Oregon State University Master Gardener™ Program in Klamath County is entering its fifteenth consecutive year. The program provides continued educational opportunities for garden enthusiasts who want to learn more about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. The Klamath County Master Gardener program emphasizes plant-based education, environmental stewardship, responsible home gardening, and community food partnerships. Through a variety of community outreach activities, trained volunteers extend research-based gardening information to citizens throughout Klamath County. During 2007, Klamath County Master Gardener volunteers logged over 3,000 hours lending their expertise, time, and special talents toward a variety of activities and viable community projects.

In order to become an OSU Master Gardener, you must complete three parts: classroom instruction, open-book examination, and volunteer "payback" hours. For example, trainees receive over 50 hours of intense classroom training taught by OSU Research and Extension faculty members and specialists on areas such as insect and plant identification, water management and conservation, soil testing, plant physiology, plant propagation, organic gardening, and so forth. Trainees are expected to score at least 70% on open-book examinations. After the training period and successful completion of the examination, trainees will be expected to participate in an additional 50 hours of volunteer "payback" hours/experiential learning.

Part 1: Classroom Instruction
After you receive confirmation that your application has been accepted, you will be considered an OSU Master Gardener™ trainee. Thus, you will be expected to participate in the training program conducted by OSU Research and Extension faculty, specialists, and veteran Master Gardeners. The training begins with an orientation on Wednesday, February 27 and continues each Wednesday for nine weeks. (Please note: During Spring Break, special off-site tour and barbeque/potluck.)

Part 2: Experiential Learning/Volunteerism "Sharing research-based gardening information"
Because it is important to practice and cultivate skills, part of the OSU Master Gardener™ program involves 50 hours of experiential learning/volunteer "payback" hours. A minimum of 20 hours will be spent working at the plant clinic help desk located at the OSU Extension office, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls, OR. The plant clinic help desk is where clients call, email, or walk-in with gardening questions. The help desk is open from May to September. The remaining 30 hours can be completed through a variety of community outreach activities, ranging from answering gardening questions at fairs, to working with schools and community groups, to participating in the annual Spring Fair (see application). Upon the completion of your experiential learning, you will become a certified OSU Master Gardener™ and will be given your name badge during the Awards Ceremony in October. You will need to re-certify on an annual basis to keep your certification current.

Send e-mail to the Klamath County Master Gardeners™

For assistance with identifying and controlling plant pests, please visit:
Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Control Handbook - On-line!,
Insect Management Handbook
Urban Entomology
University of California at Davis Pest Management Guidelines.

Related links:
OSU Master Gardener™
Northwest Gardening
Botany Basics for Master Gardeners™
Department of Horticulture at OSU