Who Are the Master Gardeners?
The Master
Gardener Program was created by the Cooperative Extension Service to meet an enormous increase in requests from home gardeners for horticultural information. Since its inception in the state of
Washington in 1972, the program has spread to 48 states. Virginia's program was started in 1976.
In Virginia, training materials for master gardeners are provided by the Cooperative Extension
Service at Virginia Tech. Volunteer Master Gardeners then use this information to assist homeowners and others in their community with gardening questions and problems. (Synopsized from The Virginia Master Gardener Handbook, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University and The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Rev, November 1994, Editor: Diane Relf, Chapter 17, Who Are the Master Gardeners?)
In Fairfax County, participants are expected to attend
30 hours of training each spring for three years and to serve a minimum of 25 hours per year by working at plant clinics, at information booths, or other service projects. This program is funded by
annual fees paid by participating members. While we receive training materials and technical support from VCE, no federal, state or local government funding is provided to Fairfax County Master
Gardener Association Inc.
For more background information on the Master Gardener program, click on:
What is a Master Gardener.
How Can I Become A Master Gardener?
To have your name placed on a waiting list, please call Kathy Groves at 968-3018, extension 3500, and leave a voice message. Kathy will get back to you. |
