Trained volunteers providing advice and support for local home gardeners

About the Master Gardeners

Master Gardener Program - Learning and Growing New Jersey Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information to the general public. Anyone with an interest in gardening and commitment to volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required. Since 1988, when it graduated its first class, Union County's Master Gardener Program has trained hundreds of men and women through a diverse curriculum, including: Botany Flowering Gardening Fruit Growing Horticultural Therapy House Plants Insects Lawn Care Ornamental Trees and Shrubs Plant Diseases Soils and Plant Nutrition Vegetable Gardening Pesticide Safety Union County's Master Gardeners contribute thousands of volunteer hours annually - 7200+ last year alone - running the Helpline, staffing information booths at fairs and gardening events, conducting highly respected horticultural therapy programs, educating the public through its evening lecture series, Speakers Bureau and Demonstration Gardens at Trailside Nature center in the Watchung Mountain Reserve, and enhancing the beauty of our local environment through a broad array of community beautification projects. By completing the Master Gardener program, participants also join a statewide network of Master Gardeners, with continued access to opportunities to broaden their training and horticultural experiences. If you haven't yet made it to our annual Spring Garden Fair & Plant sale at the Master Gardeners Demonstration Gardens at Trailside Nature Center, make the date on your calendar. It's the Sunday after Mother's Day, rain or shine! Free lectures... children's activities... plant and insect clinic. . . mouth watering baked goods... and a dazzling array of plants and nature crafts at tempting prices.

How You Can Become a Master Gardener This program is open to all county residents without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, , religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital or family status.   Simply complete both  Master Gardener Course Applications  State &  Union County.   and email it to Lynne@hotmail.com or mail by the last week in August  to: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 300 North Avenue East Westfield, NJ  07090 Cost A materials fee  is due upon acceptance to the program.  This fee covers the cost of textbooks, notebooks, field trip admission fees and class supplies. Course Requirements for Graduation Attendance at 75% of class meetings A passing grade on an open book final exam Four hours of Helpline training Completion of class assignments, including an integrated pest management plan Participation in at lease six hours of volunteer activities prior to end of class Participation in a team community beautification project Class Schedule Tuesday mornings from 10:00 to noon, at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office auditorium.  Classes generally begin early October and end the following May. Anything Else? All students enrolled in the program are expected to provide 60 hours of service by participating in approved Rutgers Cooperative Extension volunteer activities within a three-year period.  Ten of these hours are to be spent, upon completion of the course, working in the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in the Watchung Reservation.  There are many opportunities to accommodate your hours and interests as a volunteer, from staffing out Helpline,  horticultural therapy,  community beautification, raising vegetables for food pantries, growing flowers for cancer patients to working at our annual garden fair.   Questions?  Call the Master Gardener /Rutgers Extension Service Coordinator at 908.654.9854 or visit the Rutgers Master Gardener Information page at  http://njaes.rutgers.edu/mastergardeners/