What is a Master Gardener?
Master Gardener volunteers provide a valuable public service by sharing sustainable gardening resources with their community. The program also offers a way for gardening enthusiasts to expand their knowledge, meet fellow gardeners, and "learn while doing" in a fun and supportive environment. First year participants complete the Master Gardener training and their initial 40-hour volunteer commitment. In their second year and beyond, Master Gardeners retain their certification by logging a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer work and 10 hours of continuing education, annually.
Learn About Gardening
Each year, the Union County Master Gardener program provides an in-depth training in home horticulture and practical gardening. The training is intended to prepare Master Gardeners for their role as Union County's premier gardening resource.
Classes are held annually from February through May at the Union County Extension Office, 10507 N McAlister Rd, La Grande.
Master Gardener training classes are taught by OSU extension agents and horticultural experts. The program offers research-based, practical courses in plant science and home horticulture. Classes include basic botany, soil management and plant nutrition, pest identification and control methods, diagnosis of plant problems, and best practices for growing and maintaining vegetables, lawns, trees and other landscape plants. In addition to the core curriculum, Master Gardener trainees will have access to supplemental hands-on workshops and classes covering regional gardening topics taught by local experts.
The training combines several instructional methods: online modules, printed reading materials, and in-person meetings (remote participation is available) that include group discussions, instruction from the program coordinator, and guest speakers. Participants should expect a time commitment of 4-6 hours total each week of the scheduled training. That includes: 2-3 hours of work at your own pace (reading + online modules), and a weekly Tuesday evening gathering at the Extension Office that will last 2-3 hours, depending on the unit and whether there is a guest speaker. There are a few weekend workshop opportunities on topics best suited to hands-on learning.
Be a Gardening Resource
The best reason to do the Master Gardener training is because it's the only way to become a Master Gardener volunteer! Master Gardener trainees learn quite a bit about caring for their own yards and gardens from their training, but the real magic of the program is in the volunteer experience. Volunteering not only gives Master Gardeners the opportunity to provide a valuable resource to their community, it enriches their understanding of garden concepts and gives them an outlet to meet, collaborate with, and be inspired by other local gardeners.
The most important thing to know is that you don't need to be a garden expert to be an excellent Master Gardener!
The goal of the training is to teach Master Gardeners how to locate research-based information and share it with the community. Master Gardeners do not need to "know everything" about gardening! They are expected to be courteous, curious, and collaborative. As a group of volunteers, we will work together to answer questions, give gardening advice, and even offer classes on topics we feel confident enough to teach. By engaging in Master Gardner volunteer work and continuing education, it is inevitable that your gardening knowledge - and your physical garden - will improve and grow.
Get Growing!
Whether or not you are able to become a Master Gardener volunteer this year, the Union County Master Gardener program has garden education opportunities for you!
- Each year, a few of the training classes & workshops are open to the public with a drop-in fee
- You are always welcome to call (541-963-1010) or email the Extension Office Garden Clinic with your questions
- Our local email newsletter, Know More, Grow More, offers seasonal gardening advice, upcoming workshops and events, and Master Gardener program updates
Master Gardener Volunteering
So you think you might like to become a Master Gardener, but what does that actually mean?
Master Gardener volunteers use the skills they've gained from the training to help guide community members to high-quality, research-based information. Although there is a wealth of useful information about gardening on the Internet, it can be difficult for novice gardeners to separate good advice from questionable or unproven recommendations. The Master Gardener training will help you navigate these resources to find reliable information to share with community members seeking advice or instruction. Successful volunteers are those who enjoy learning, collaborating with a team, and sharing the joys of gardening with others.
Requirements: After completing the training, Master Gardeners must log at least 40 volunteer hours by October 31st of the same year to earn their certification. In subsequent years, the training need not be repeated if a Master Gardener completes at least 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 of continuing education annually.
Examples of Volunteer Opportunities
- Garden Clinic - Work with fellow volunteers at the Extension Office or at home to answer questions that come into the Extension office.
- Farmers Market Booth - Hang out at the farmers market to answer gardening questions, perform soil pH tests, and be an ambassador for the Master Gardner program.
- Projects - A qualifying project would make gardening education and inspiration available to the community. Projects are driven by the interests and skill sets of an individual or team of Master Gardeners. Examples: plant & maintain a demonstration garden (at the Extension building or another public space), create an educational display that communicates a sustainable gardening concept, plan & implement a gardening workshop or event focused on education.
- Tend a demonstration plot and hold Master Gardener "office hours" at a local community garden.
- Write for the Newsletter - Share your knowledge by writing seasonally relevant, research-based garden tips, how-to's, etc for our local gardening newsletter. Creativity is welcome!
As gardeners, we know that biodiversity makes our gardens more resilient, more delicious, and more beautiful.
We believe the same is true of our program.
Oregon State University Extension Service and the Union County Master Gardener program prohibit discrimination in all its programs, services, activities and materials on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, genetic information, veteran’s status, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
The Union County Master Gardener program will make every effort to accommodate the individual schedules, needs, and preferences of each volunteer. What you are able to bring to the program is what makes it valuable and special. Our goal is to provide the support you need to get the most out of this experience and to help deliver this important service to our community.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Sarah West, 541-963-1010, [email protected] for all Union County Master Gardener programing.