1. Welcome to Level 1 Master Gardener!

2. Montana State University Extension Master Gardener Program: Education and Volunteering
Toby Day
Montana Master Gardener Coordinator P.O. Box Leon Johnson Hall Bozeman, Montana Tel: (406)

3. The History of the Extension Master Gardener Program
Began in Washington State (WSU) in 1972
Dr. David Gibby, Ext. Agent in Horticulture
Response to the overwhelming number of requests for gardening information
Gibby was the agent for King County, developed the MG program for Washington State

4. According to the 2009 National Extension Master Gardener Survey
Active in 48 states and 4 Canadian provinces
Current # of MG Volunteers – 94,865
Total annual volunteer hours – 5,197,573
Value of volunteer hours – $101,400,000
New Master Gardeners this year – 16,471
Personal contacts by MG – 4,850,285
Pounds of produce donated to local food banks – 685,554
Personal contacts are # of people served by Master Gardeners

5. Montana State University Extension Master Gardener Program
Level 1 – Basic yard and garden class
(beginner to intermediate)
Level 2 – More intensive training for experienced gardeners
(Intermediate to advanced)
Level 3 – Three day intensive training at MSU
“Master Gardener University”

6. Level 1 Extension Master Gardener
8-week beginning level course
Must complete 20 hours volunteer commitment
Open book or take home test
Soils and fertility (N-P-K-Fe)
Plant growth and development
Vegetable gardening
Planting and maintaining flower beds
Trees and shrub selection, installation and maintenance
Lawns and irrigation
Small fruit and fruit trees
Composting
Intro to integrated pest management (IPM)
Volunteer commitment explained later.

7. Level 2 Extension Master Gardener
8-week intermediate/advanced level course
More emphasis on IPM and Extension
Must complete 30 hours volunteer commitment
The role of Master Gardener in Extension
Binomial nomenclature
Fertility, plant nutrients (more emphasis on micronutrients and microorganisms)
Propagation
Plant growth and development
Entomology, plant diseases and abiotic disorders (review of IPM)
Vegetable and fruit IPM
Trees, Shrubs, and Lawn IPM

8. Level 3 Extension Master Gardener Program “Master Gardener University”
3 day intensive training at Montana State University
Approximately 30 hours of class time
40 hours volunteer commitment
More emphasis on hands-on and roles of volunteers
Commitment to helping local MSU Extension offices with Master Gardener
Offered the summer of 2011

9. MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Commitment
Responding to horticultural inquiries in a local MSU Extension office
Researching and writing horticulture-based articles for local media outlets
Giving talks to local groups
Introducing children to gardening
Presenting information at garden and trade shows
Volunteering at farmers’ markets
Presenting educational programs
Providing research assistance
Creating and maintaining demonstration and community gardens

10. Online resources for Master Gardeners
MSU Extension Homepage
Montana Master Gardener Program Website
Master Gardener site is where you can login to get presentations and handouts. Encourage MG to log into the forum to get questions answered or to answer questions

11. Thank you
Extension Horticulture Associate Toby Day P.O. Box Leon Johnson Hall Bozeman, Montana Tel: (406)