What Are "Master Gardeners" and What do They Do? The Texas Master Gardener Program The Texas Master Gardener Program is an educational activity offered by the Texas Cooperative Extension, It is designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and improve the quality of horticultural projects. Goals are implemented through the training and employment of local volunteers known as Master Gardeners. For professional and vocational horticulturists, the Master Gardener program provides invaluable training and educational opportunities. Amateur horticulturists, as well as persons simply seeking up-to-date horticultural information, can advance their gardening expertise and gain a considerable amount of self-satisfaction. The volunteer aspect of the Master Gardener program allows individuals to dedicate their time and talents to enhancing, improving and beautifying their local community utilizing the science and art of horticulture. Objectives To expand the capacity of the Texas Cooperative Extension to disseminate horticultural information to individuals and groups in the community. To develop and enhance community programs related to horticulture. Depending on community needs, these may be landscape improvement, activities with civic groups, horticultural therapy projects or community gardens. Other programs include special activities such as demonstration fruit or vegetable gardens designed to improve living conditions for minority or low income groups. To enhance 4-H programs through the establishment of 4-H horticultural and garden clubs. To develop a Master Gardener volunteer network that is administratively self-sufficient. Who Are Master Gardener Volunteers? People all over the country with horticultural skills, a willingness to learn and desire to help others can become Master Gardeners. When the program started, Master Gardeners usually did only a few jobs: answering phone requests for gardening information and staffing plant clinics were typical tasks. In recent years, Master Gardeners work has diversified. Thanks to the perceptiveness of Extension Agents working with individuals in the program, non horticultural skills have been recognized and combined with gardening interests and knowledge to produce a variety of interesting volunteer tasks. The Master Gardener Program is open to all people regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion or national origin. A trainee must attend a minimum of 50 hours of instruction, pass an examination and volunteer 50 hours of service to earn the title of Master Gardener. In order to retain the title, individuals are required to participate in 12 hours of training per year and 12 hours volunteer time per year through the local Extension Office. Master Gardener Jobs Create and maintain demonstration gardens Garden with the elderly and handicapped Work at county Fairs and plant clinics Make home gardening visits Conduct a garden project at a halfway house for individuals recently released from mental health institutions Act as a liaison for the Extension office in a residential area by answering gardening questions and taking soil samples Produce a monthly home horticulture newsletter Conduct school gardening programs Give talks to groups interested in horticulture Instruct Master Gardeners Co-ordinate Master Gardener and Advanced Master Gardener programs Participate in on-site lawn clinics Work in trial gardens at research station or in the local area Conduct garden tours Plan and implement public relation projects Work on special events (Arbor Day, Field Day, "Don't Bag It") Compile plants lists for specific areas Maintain an office reference library Design brochures Solicit donations for program expenses Produce slide shows Volunteer as a 4-H leader Serve as an expert to identify woody plant material Conduct a gardening project with youths from low-income homes Answer horticultural phone calls Conduct "Don't Bag It" lawn care programs Conduct composting clinics Assist with Xeriscape trial gardens Staff information booths at Garden Shows  How Can I Become A Wichita County Master Gardener?