Iowa Master Gardener Program

If you have an interest in gardening and would like to volunteer in your community, consider joining the Iowa Master Gardener program. Whether you are a long-term veteran of gardening or a novice, you are welcome to join.

The program provides selected volunteers training on many aspects of gardening. In exchange for training, Master Gardeners share their time and knowledge in approved projects within their local communities. Training consists of 40 hours of Web-based broadcasts and face-to-face instruction at extension offices and on the Iowa State University campus. After training, participants must complete a one-year Master Gardener internship consisting of 40 hours of approved volunteer service projects. Additional volunteer hours and ongoing educational updates are required in subsequent years to maintain active Master Gardener status.

Since its inception in 1979, the Iowa Master Gardener program has trained more than 10,000 participants. Master Gardeners may work at local public gardens, schools, nursing homes, or other community beautification or education projects. Master Gardeners answer questions on the radio, give presentations at gardening seminars, and discuss plants at local plant sales. You might talk with Master Gardeners on the phone or via email or at booths at a local farmer’s market, county fairs, or home and garden shows. The Master Gardener program is unique both for its community emphasis and because it directly utilizes the broad research-based resources of Iowa State University.

If you are interested in becoming an Iowa Master Gardener, contact your county extension office to find out more information about training in your area. The link at right provides a list of counties that will be conducting training this coming winter. Visit www.extension.iastate.edu for phone numbers and email addresses of your local Iowa State University extension office.