Jackson County Master Gardener Association
| The Master Gardener Program in Texas |
What is a Master Gardener?
Master Gardeners are members of our community who are interested in a wide variety of
gardening challenges. They have taken the time to take advantage of special horticulture
training offered through the Texas Agrilife Extension office and Texas A&M University.
They are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and willing to share their knowledge with members
of their communities.
Master Gardeners are members of our community who are interested in a wide variety of
gardening challenges. They have taken the time to take advantage of special horticulture
training offered through the Texas Agrilife Extension office and Texas A&M University.
They are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and willing to share their knowledge with members
of their communities.
How does one become a master Gardener?
You start by contacting the Texas Agrilife Extension office. There is an application to fill
out and some questions to answer, to be sure the Master Gardener Program is right for you.
Once accepted into the program, you will attend at least 50 hours of instruction that covers
lawn care, ornamental shrubs and trees, insects, disease and weed management, soils and plant
nutrition, vegetable gardening, home fruit production, flower gardens, and water conservation,
among other topics.
In exchange for the training, each candidate or 'intern' is expected to complete 50 hours of
volunteer service to the community within the following year. There is a wide variety of activities
that qualify as volunteer service. Completion of 50 hours volunteer service earns you the title of
Certified Master Gardener.
You start by contacting the Texas Agrilife Extension office. There is an application to fill
out and some questions to answer, to be sure the Master Gardener Program is right for you.
Once accepted into the program, you will attend at least 50 hours of instruction that covers
lawn care, ornamental shrubs and trees, insects, disease and weed management, soils and plant
nutrition, vegetable gardening, home fruit production, flower gardens, and water conservation,
among other topics.
In exchange for the training, each candidate or 'intern' is expected to complete 50 hours of
volunteer service to the community within the following year. There is a wide variety of activities
that qualify as volunteer service. Completion of 50 hours volunteer service earns you the title of
Certified Master Gardener.
Are there other requirements?
Master Gardeners are representatives of the Texas Agrilife Extension Service, The Texas A&M
University System. In all work related to the program, Master Gardeners follow the research-based
recommendations of Texas Agrilife Extension.
Master Gardeners must perform additional hours of volunteer service, and additional hours of
educational training during each following year to be re-certified.
Application forms and additional information is available at the local Extension office.
Master Gardeners are representatives of the Texas Agrilife Extension Service, The Texas A&M
University System. In all work related to the program, Master Gardeners follow the research-based
recommendations of Texas Agrilife Extension.
Master Gardeners must perform additional hours of volunteer service, and additional hours of
educational training during each following year to be re-certified.
Application forms and additional information is available at the local Extension office.