Information on becoming a Master Gardener
Are you a Santa Clara County resident who would enjoy sharing gardening knowledge? Do you want to learn more eco-friendly, sustainable gardening practices and share it with the public?
The Master Gardeners accept new volunteers every two years, with the next class to be formed in 2013. The process will start in the summer of 2012 with required informational meetings (likely in August), followed by a formal application process.
When joining the program:
- You'll be enrolled in a series of weekly classes beginning in early January and ending in May (historically held on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.) Topics from botany to pruning to integrated pest management are taught by professional-level instructors to prepare trainees to volunteer with the UCCE Master Gardener Program.
- The fee for the classes is $150.00 including textbooks, due upon acceptance into the program. Finger printing is required upon acceptance into the program.
- After the initial training, MG trainees will need to complete 100 hours of Volunteer service and 12 hours of Continuing Education in the first year after completing the classes.