Should you become a Master Gardener? To aid you in deciding if the Master Gardener program is suited for you or if you are suited for it, ask yourself the following simple questions:

1) Do I want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many varieties of plants?
2) Do I wish to learn about and employ environmentally responsible gardening practices?
3) Am I eager to participate in a practical and intense training program?
4) Am I prepared and committed to complete the required volunteer service?
5) Am I willing to share my knowledge with others in the community?
6) Do I want to become a member of a closely-knit organization which promotes community involvement?

If you are able to answer “yes” to these questions, the Walker County Master Gardener program could be for you. This is a commitment from which you will reap benefits for years to come; it’s a constant learning experience, and the friendships you make will last for years to come.

Master Gardeners are representatives of Texas Cooperative Extension. Their charter is to support all Extension programs and in all volunteer work, Master Gardeners follow the research-based recommendations of Texas Cooperative Extension. The title “Texas Master Gardener” can be used by volunteers only when engaged in activities sponsored by Extension. The Master Gardener program is supported entirely by Texas Cooperative Extension.

Who is a Walker County Master Gardener? Texas Master Gardeners are members of the local community who have been accepted into the Master Gardener training program in Walker County, have attended 50 hours of instruction and have committed 50 hours of volunteer service to Walker County’s Texas Cooperative Extension program in order to attain certification.

What are the various topics covered in the Master Gardener course curriculum? The course will begin in January with a welcome reception for new class members, and the last class will be around May 1st. Unless otherwise noted, all classes will be held on each Thursday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The typical curriculum for the course will be as follows: Botany, Soils & Fertilizers, Plant Propagation, Pathology, Pesticide Safety, Landscape Design & Maintenance, Vegetables, Greenhouse Management, Native Plants, Basic Entomology, Composting, Turfgrasses and Herbs. Two tours are scheduled for every year; one to the Texas A&M Range Science Lab, and the other to the Mercer Arboretum.

How will I be able to do 50 volunteer service hours? You will be able to begin working on your volunteer service hours under the supervision of certified Master Gardeners while taking the course. The Greenhouse and Demonstration Gardens afford ample opportunity to attain the required 50 hours of volunteer service; many alumni have satisfied this requirement by the last class. The type of service varies according to the needs of the community and the abilities and interests of the interns. As an example, some Master Gardener interns assist Extension staff with telephone duties, preparation of 4-H materials and general office duties. Others choose to become involved in community outreach programs such as assisting with educational tours of the Demonstration Gardens and the Greenhouse. 2008 will bring many new and exciting challenges to all Master Gardeners as we embark on Phase II of the LEAF-PRO project. LEAF-PRO (Landscape Environmental Awareness Facility – Protection Reduction Outreach) supports Texas Cooperative Extension’s Earth Kind Environmental Stewardship Program. Master Gardeners are individuals who have a desire for knowledge about various horticultural practices, with strong emphasis on educated, ecologically responsible decision-making through home landscape practices.

The WCMGA Speakers’ Bureau offers programs and workshops to the community with a wide scope of subjects which include herb gardening, cooking with herbs, vegetable gardening, canning and preserving garden produce, recycling, water conservation, responsible pesticide and fertilizer use, composting, environmental awareness, integrated pest management, plant propagation, rainwater harvesting, butterfly gardening and gardening for hummingbirds. These programs are all presented by certified Master Gardeners who are often assisted by interns in the program.

We have many retired teachers in the WCMGA, and present programs to various youth groups to include Girl and Boy Scouts and the YMCA. There is a garden program currently underway at Sam Houston Elementary sponsored by a Master Gardener, and a Jr. Master Gardener program at the Gibbs-Powell Home. My point is that whether you enjoy maintaining gardens, speaking to groups, working with youth in the community or doing office work, there’s a place in this program for everyone.

WCMGA members are active in the community; they offered countless hours of support during Walker County’s evacuation efforts prior to and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, they are members of numerous organizations in Huntsville and Walker County, many are graduates of the Huntsville Leadership Institute, and interface with other leaders in the community to include the Walker County Commissioners, Huntsville City Council and the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

Upon completion of the Master Gardener course and fulfilling the 50 hour volunteer service commitment, interns will graduate and receive certification. To maintain certification, Master Gardeners are required to a commitment of 12 hours of volunteer service and 12 hours of CEU (Continuing Education Units) every two years. When you think of it, that’s really not much of a commitment in time, and we find that there are so many different ways to get those volunteer service hours (hard work in some cases, yes, but certainly very gratifying), that it seems a very easy task.

How many people will be in my class? Because of facility accommodations, class size is limited to 30 people. It’s really a good size because it gives each intern an opportunity to get to know the certified Master Gardeners, Extension staff, the instructors and most importantly, each other.

What is the fee for the Master Gardener class? The fee for the 15 classes (to include the tours to Texas A&M and Mercer Arboretum) was $130.00 this past year. You will receive the Master Gardener handbook, which in itself is worth more than the $130.00; it will become your “gardening bible”. The fee will also cover the cost of a background check which is required by Texas Cooperative Extension for liability purposes since the Master Gardeners work so closely with youth groups. Numerous other educational materials are distributed during the duration of the class.

How do I register for the next Master Gardener class? You may contact the Walker County Texas Cooperative Extension Office at (936) 435-2426, walker-tx@tamu.edu to sign up for the class. Sending a check will guarantee a spot.

Reflections from a Master Gardener: I was in the 2001 (charter) Master Gardener class; we often refer to ourselves as the “guinea pig” group as this was a learning experience, not only for the interns, but also the Walker County Extension staff. County Agent Reggie Lepley had no help in planning the speakers and classes for the first course, but “hats off” to him for his diligence and patience. It’s been amazing for me to see how far we’ve really come; we have so many wonderful people involved in the program and their talents are incredibly diversified. Their skills range from artistic floral arranging, construction, organization, leadership, public speaking, teaching….well, I could go on and on but think you’ve got the picture by now. I’ve always been impressed with the fact that everything the Master Gardeners do seems like a labor of love.

Billie Lee, Chairman of the Course Curriculum Steering Committee and her committee members are to be applauded for their long hours dedicated to insuring that the very best speakers are confirmed for this year’s course. Once they’ve accomplished that difficult task, they will be with you each week to help with registration, making certain that each intern has the necessary materials for each class, and will be available to answer any questions you may have.

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.