Master Gardener Program
MASTER GARDENER™ APPLICATION
OSU Extension Service Master Gardener™ Course
Thank you for your interest in the Klamath County Oregon State University (OSU) Master Gardener™ Program. The program is entering its sixteenth consecutive year in Klamath County. The OSU Master Gardener™ Program emphasizes plant-based education, environmental stewardship, responsible home gardening practices, and community food partnerships. In exchange for training, individuals who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through the OSU Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center (KBREC). Volunteer work includes helping residents in the Master Gardener Plant Clinic located at the OSU Extension office, teaching youth, adults and seniors about gardening in the Klamath Garden, staffing information booths at community events, and other OSU Master Gardener™ activities. The agent or program coordinator in the County Extension office decides how volunteer time can best be utilized. Through community outreach activities, trained volunteers extend research-based gardening information to citizens throughout Klamath County. During 2008, for example, Klamath County Master Gardener volunteers logged over 3,000 hours lending their expertise, time, and special talents toward a variety of activities and viable community projects. In the plant clinic help desk, they assisted over 560 residents. Currently, the program has over 50 active volunteers.
In order to retain the “Master Gardener” title, individuals are required each year to participate in a minimum of 6 hours of recertification training, pass a take-home exam, and provide an additional 12 hours of volunteer service through the OSU Extension office. (Please note: The title "Master Gardener" can be used by volunteers only when engaged in OSU Extension-sponsored activities.) Becoming a Master Gardener in Klamath County involves completing an application packet, being accepted for training, attending a 66-hour horticulture training program, passing weekly quizzes as well as a final exam, and volunteering 40+ hours. Topics from botany to pruning to integrated pest management will be taught by specialists and OSU faculty. Classes begin on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at the Klamath County Extension office and continue each Wednesday through May 20, 2009. On May 13, trainees will receive a take-home exam. The exam will be scored during the last day of class on May 20. Trainees are expected to score at least 75% on the exam.
Part 2: Experiential Learning/Volunteerism “Sharing research-based gardening information”
Because it is important to practice and cultivate skills, part of the OSU Master Gardener™ Program involves over 40 hours of experiential learning/volunteer “payback” hours. A minimum of 15 hours will be spent working at the plant clinic help desk located at the OSU Extension office, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls, OR. The plant clinic help desk is where clients call, email, or walk-in with gardening questions. The help desk is open from May to October. At least 15 additional hours must be spent in the Klamath Garden and Demonstration Garden. The remaining 15 hours may be spent on other OSU approved activities (see application). Participants must attend 80% of the class time and complete 45 hours of documented internship time by October 31, 2009 to become an Oregon State University certified Master Gardener Volunteer and to receive the official name badge. After completing the training and volunteer service requirement, the Master Gardener is certified for one calendar year as an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener™.
Important: It is completely optional to participate in the Master Gardener Chapter activities. The Klamath County Master Gardener Association (KCMGA) is a separate non-profit organization focused on supporting the OSU Extension Master Gardener program.
