 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
About Master Gardeners and the URI Master Gardener Association
Background
In the 1970s Master Gardener programs began to appear at land grant universities across the country. The purpose was to train volunteers to assist the County Agriculture Agents in educating homeowners about the latest gardening practices. Federal funds, allocated by the US Department of Agriculture, and also state funding through land grant universities, supported this new Cooperative Extension program.Rhode Island's Master Gardener Program began in 1977. Nineteen volunteers trained and became horticultural information volunteers for the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension (renamed College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) Outreach Center in 2007). Since that time, more than 1600 people have participated in the volunteer training program. In 2004, over 240 volunteers were active in bringing gardening and environmental information to Rhode Islanders, primarily through the Hotline and community outreach programs.
Training
The URI Master Gardener Program is based at the CELS Outreach Center on the URI Kingston Campus. This central location allows us to function efficiently; no volunteer in Rhode island is more than an hour's drive from the University. Each year more that 100 people are trained to become Master Gardeners in a 16-week course.
Applicants are selected for training based upon their responses to criteria on the application form A fee of $250 is paid before classes begin. A Training Manual is included in the fee.
The curriculum includes horticultural basics and relevant topics. Classes are one night a week for 16 weeks from January until May; there are two Saturday hands-on classes. Each class runs from 7-9:30 p.m. at a location on campus. Through a series of lectures by URI faculty and staff, as well as experienced Master Gardeners and a few local experts, trainees learn the basics of home gardening and landscaping with minimal environmental impact, including the maintenance of trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers and vegetables, and their pests. Master Gardener trainees are expected to become involved in volunteer activities...many volunteer opportunities are available. Experienced Master Gardeners from the URI MGA are always present at training classes to guide trainees for volunteering at exhibits, fairs, and other projects.
Once a trainee successfully completes the course, he or she becomes a Master Gardener intern and must complete 50 hours of service before earning the title URI Master Gardener. Volunteer time may include work at one of the many Master Gardener Projects located across the state. New projects are always being developed! Master Gardeners must complete at least 20 hours volunteering each year. They also have many opportunities to take extra training sessions to fulfill their anual education requirement.
Master Gardener Association
By joining the URI Master Gardener Association (MGA) you will continue your horticultural education and be involved with the exciting public outreach program. The URI MGA, volunteer arm of the Master Gardener Program, has a mission of:
Education: Master Gardeners share their knowledge and expertise with the public by offering a wide variety of educational opportunities. Outreach: Master Gardeners extend their knowledge of, and interest in, gardening and related topics through a variety of community projects and activities. Sustainability: Master Gardeners follow sustainable gardening and environmental practices. In existence since 1983, the URI MGA has grown steadily in membership – to more than 600 – and in community involvement. Master Gardeners contribute thousands of volunteer hours to numerous projects, including historic gardens, demonstration vegetable gardens, the RI Flower Show, children's programs, plant sales, seminars, URI Gardening Hotline, and "Ask A Master Gardener" booths at fairs and other events throughout the state.
CELS Outreach Center and the URI MGA work together to provide graduates of the Master Gardener Training Program with outreach and educational opportunities to extend to Rhode Island citizens.
As a member of URI MGA you can attend bimonthly member meetings. You will have access to the MGA Website. Postings on the Website keep members up to date on MGA and other gardening activities around the state as well as keeping them abreast of volunteer and educational opportunities. Periodically there may be trips and events designed especially for MGA members. But the best benefit is the friendship and great learning experience you will have with this group of individuals who share your interests, a passion for gardening, and stewardship of the environment.