The Master Gardener Program
Master Gardeners are members of the local community who are willing to learn and help others and are able to communicate with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture they receive from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Their mission is to be educational volunteers who render non-biased, research based horticultural information to the community. Master Gardeners are volunteers in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Consumer Horticulture Program. Master Gardener programs are developed with input and recommendations form the Dallas County Master Gardener Advisory Committee composed of certified Master Gardeners and representatives of the Dallas County Master Gardener Association(DCMGA). The Association assist in providing financial support to the Dallas County Master Gardener program as well as educational opportunities and socialization for the 400+ members of the Dallas County Master Gardener program. All Master Gardener volunteers are encouraged to join the Dallas County Master Gardener Association.
Dallas County Master Gardener Association
BECOME A MASTER GARDENER
Master Gardeners are an important aspect of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension home horticulture program in Dallas County They are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and to help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, persons who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their Extension office to provide horticultural-related information to their communities. Master Gardeners complete 72 hours of intensive training and a year-long internship in order to offer research-based horticultural information and advice to the Dallas County community. They provide research based information through a variety of educational methods including, Community Projects, Community Outreach, Speakers Bureau, School and Community Gardens and staffing of our Research, Education and Demonstration Gardens.
The Master Gardener Training Program consists of 16 classes, all held on Mondays, from the second Monday in January through the last Monday in April. The classes meet from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Classes are held at the Rowlett Road and Bridge District 1, 715 Rowlett Road, Garland, TX 75040.
To be accepted into the program, you must fill out an application, submit to a background check, and attend a mandatory orientation meeting. In addition to the 72 hours of class time, you must contribute a minimum of 72 hours of approved volunteer work on Dallas County Master Gardener approved projects prior to November 30 of the year of the training. After that first year, you are required to contribute a minimum of 30 approved volunteer hours and 6 hours of continuing education each year to remain a Certified Master Gardener.
For more information on the Master Gardener Program to help you decide if this is something you are interested in, call Katerina Graham, County Extension Agent, Horticulture and Master Gardener Program Coordinator at 214.904.3054. We hope you’ll consider joining us.