The Polk County Master Gardener™ Program provides research-based gardening information and educational opportunities to the residents of Polk County. They do this through classes and plant problem clinics in various locations throughout the year. The demonstration garden at Independence Mountain Fir Park gives practical examples of home horticulture principles that are the  foundation of the Master Gardener™ Program.

Each Master Gardener volunteer has attended the 60 hour Oregon State University Master Gardener™ Training in various horticulture disciplines and performed 60 hours of volunteer work on specific Polk County Master Gardener projects.