Kimberley

US gardeners: are Master Gardeners people that anybody can ask for advice? Is it a paid for service? How do you find your local master gardener?

Similarly extension offices: can just an ordinary citizen ask for growing advice?

We don't have that here in the UK AFAIK so I'm very curious about it.

Dec 29 at 10:36amWeb
Show threadtekvsakdanDec 29
@Kimberley, maybe @RavynWitch will be able to help.
Show threadBelle (she/her)Dec 29
@tekvsakdan @Kimberley thanks for the tag! Just sent some info!
@ahermitforhire may be able to add some thoughts as well as he has gone through master gardener classes!
Show threadsusDec 29

@Kimberley extension services are highly variable by location but many would absolutely be good to ask questions of and almost all will at least have some kind of resources you can read or classes you can go to.

This Reddit question discusses a bit. The best way to find out is to contact yours!

https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/comments/1al7h8u/has_anyone_actually_been_helped_by_contacting/

I don’t even live in the US and i often use online extension service resources.

Show threadregular violet Dec 29

@Kimberley
My mom did a course and became a Master Gardener, but I don't recall it being anything particularly involved after she got the certificate.

Where I live now, the Master Gardeners chapter puts on classes throughout the year for different gardening and rewilding topics, and it costs money to register. I wouldn't be surprised if asking questions of most chapters just gets you links to paid classes and courses.

All that being said, the information seems in-depth and useful.

Show threadKimberleyDec 29
@thecrushedviolet Aw that's a shame, it sounds like it could be an excellent resource but I guess if selling the courses brings income for the service there's going to be a pressure to sell more courses
Show threadGhislaineDec 29

@Kimberley I am not sure about Master Gardeners. They are involved in my local library's veggie patch, but I'm not sure what else they do.

Extension offices are services available to anyone. They are good resources not just for local garden/orchard questions but also canning and preserving. I have a pressure canner with a dial that is supposed to get tested once a year to ensure it's working correctly. That is a service offered by some Extension offices.

Show threadKimberleyDec 29
@ghislaine Thanks for the information. I had no idea they offered other information like preserving too but it makes sense that people who are growing a lot might also need information on preserving their harvest.
Show threadLuke O.Dec 29
@Kimberley our local extension office is very much a public service anyone can ask questions of, and where I get soil and water tests with crop-specific evals. Our local staff focus on running the 4H youth ed program and most things go through the state ag university offices, so I'd expect it to depend on whether your questions are covered in materials they've developed at the state level which often are targeted at commercial growers ime, or if you get contact info for a particular specialist.
Show threadLuke O.Dec 29
@Kimberley I've met folks working on becoming master gardener, who were doing community outreach (working in community gardens, giving public talks). At least here it is very much a volunteer resource, making public info and responding to questions e.g. https://extension.uga.edu/programs-services/georgia-master-gardener-extension-volunteer-program/home-gardening-publications.html
Gardening at Home Resources | Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program

Show threadepicdemiologistDec 29
@Kimberley Our local master gardeners often set up tables at events to answer questions. The training takes 3 months and includes 50 hours of community service (i.e., giving free advice to people) in the first year, then 25 hours per year to maintain certification. To find your local master gardeners, you'd contact the cooperative extension service in your county (https://extension.org/find-cooperative-extension-in-your-state/) More detail on our local program: https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/clarke/agriculture-and-natural-resources/master-gardener-extension-volunteer-program.html
Find Extension in Your State – Extension Foundation

Show threadJohn BurnsDec 29

@Kimberley

Here are the details for Michigan-based Master Gardeners.

The result - if you do the full program is that you are a volunteer with a given level of education and that you volunteer time in your community.

Wife & I did the course in late 1990's (I think it was about 13 weeks - 2 hour class sessions). For folks that want to learn the concepts, get their hands dirty, help around the community - but not do a 4 year degree program --- it is a good thing.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/master_gardener_volunteer_program/

MSU Extension Master Gardener Program®

Welcome to the MSU Extension Master Gardener (EMG) website. Our program trains and supports volunteers to teach science-based gardening practices to communities across Michigan.

MSU Extension Master Gardener Program®
Show threadJoseph ElfeltDec 29

@Kimberley In Washington State the master gardener program is run through the state college system. Lots of info at https://extension.wsu.edu/king/mg-home

Anyone can ask for gardening advice. The service is free. Happy gardening.

Show threadabbyDec 29
@Kimberley extension offices are such a great resource! I use mine often. They have often taken a while to get back when I've emailed specific questions but they tend to try and be at a lot of expos and festivals in my area so often I'll try and actually chat in person with them
Show threadClimate Jenny 2.1Dec 29

@Kimberley All Master Gardeners are supposed to act as public resources, but I think there’s considerable variability in their training. The reason I am a Master Naturalist, but not a Master Gardener, is that (in my area) the latter group are expected to become experts in lawn care.

The aim is to keep people from over-using fertilizer and herbicides that end up in waterways. I am 100% supportive of this! But I also can’t stand the idea of needing to talk to people about their lawns. So, nope.

Show threadKimberleyDec 29
@ClimateJenny I didn't know there were also Master Naturalists but I love that! Every area should have people who know the local ecology and can advise on supporting nature
Show threadBelle (she/her)Dec 29
@Kimberley
In the US, master gardener programs are almost exclusively offered by local extension offices and part of the deal is that you have to do X hours a year of community education! So, in my area, there are monthly classes on a variety of topics run by master gardeners, plus you can always call the extension office with questions or to request classes on things.
Most of the people who take these classes do it because they love gardening and want to help others!
Show threadKimberleyDec 29
@RavynWitch Thanks, it’s such a great idea. I wish we had it here
Show threadAO SmithDec 29
@Kimberley
I don't know about contacting Master gardeners but we fairly regularly use our local extension service office, most recently to help identify a caterpillar that has started damaging my citrus fruit. Helping people is definitely part of what they do! In OR they are associated with the state land grant university so already "paid for", which I think is common for any US extension office. #gardening
Show threadMarDec 29
@Kimberley in my city, Masters Gardeners are associated with the university and often have boots at the farmers market and other events, where you can ask them for advice (without cost). They also have a website (under the University extension program) with specific information and where you can submit a form with questions. They have demonstration gardens and orchards open to the public, either stand-alone, or attached to parks. I love the demonstration gardens.
Show threadChris MartinDec 29
@Kimberley Yes the extension office is there to help anyone and everyone, with agriculture and really anything to do with plants.
Show threadChris MartinDec 29
@Kimberley I mostly know them through the association with 4-H, did also go to one of their talks at the library about fall (the season at the time) gardening tasks
Show threadSusan SDec 30

@Kimberley Here is the Master Gardener Extension website:

https://mastergardener.extension.org/

#MasterGardener

Extension Master Gardener