Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Introduction
The following information contains facts that will help you
understand the Master Gardener Program as well as the role
and responsibilities of a volunteer Master Gardener. It will
also give you insight into the University
of Florida Extension, how it functions and how Master
Gardeners should operate as a part of the Extension Service.
History
The rapid urban growth in many areas of the United States
coupled with increased interest in the environment and home
gardening has prompted ever-increasing numbers of homeowner
questions to County Extension Service agents. Palm
Beach County is 
unique in that it marks the beginning of the subtropics and
the end of the temperate zone, which makes landscaping and
gardening a challenge to newcomers from northern areas of
the county. As a result, new homeowners in the area have many
questions about how to get started in their new landscapes.
Many of these questions are seasonal in nature and are easily
answered assuming one has horticultural training.
In 1972, an innovative Extension Service agent in the state
of Washington reasoned that well-trained volunteers could
respond everyday homeowner questions, freeing him and his
colleagues for more technical and difficult problems. Volunteers,
such as Extension Homemakers and 4-H leaders, had always been
a part of the Extension Service but never in the area of residential
horticulture. The Extension Agent selected, trained and certified
volunteers as Master Gardeners. The Master Gardener Volunteers
soon succeeded in meeting his desired objectives; in fact
they exceeded his expectations.
Since that time, the Master Gardener Volunteer Program has
grown and is now active in more than 45 states. Florida's
program began in 1979 where it has been a tremendous success
and is now active in more than 45 Florida counties. The
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
(IFAS) and cooperating county governments sponsors the Florida
Master Gardener Volunteer Program. The Palm Beach County
Master Gardener Volunteer Program began in 1982 and currently
has over 100 active Master Gardeners.
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The Extension Service
What is the Extension Service? For a more complete understanding
of this unique organization, we must go back to 1862 when
the U.S. Congress passed the Morrill Act. This act established
colleges in each state to be financed through grants of land
from the Federal government. They became
known as "Land Grant Colleges," a name that persists
today. These colleges were established to emphasize teaching
practical subjects such as agriculture and home economics.
The 1887 Hatch Act provided for experimental stations to conduct
agricultural research for Land Grant colleges.
In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act created the Extension Service
as a means of disseminating the practical knowledge gained
through agricultural research. The
University of Florida at Gainesville is Florida's Land
Grant College. The Institute
of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is that part
of the University which has the responsibility for the Extension Service.
The term "cooperative" refers to the method by
which extension services are funded. In Florida, three cooperating
tax sources provide funds: The
United States Department of Agriculture; the State of
Florida through legislative appropriations; and the counties
through appropriations from the county governments.
The word "cooperative" also implies a sharing of
information generated through sound research programs at the
Federal and State levels. The term "extension" defines
this organization's purpose to extend the information generated
at the State and Federal level to people at the county level
in the form of a "service". The Extension Service is an informal educational organization that provides
information in three main areas: Agriculture, Family and Consumer
Sciences, and 4-H Youth Program. Community Development, Marine
Biology, and Energy are associated programs.
The motto and goal of the Extension Service is
"Helping People Help Themselves." Thus, you can
see how well the volunteer Master Gardener concept fits into
the ultimate objectives and goals of the Extension Service.
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Mounts Botanical Garden
Another component of the Palm
Beach County Extension Service is the Mounts
Botanical Garden. The garden was established to foster
appreciation of plants and their many benefits. Marvin "Red"
Mounts, then the county extension  agent
began initial plantings in 1954. Since that time, various
groups and individuals have shared in providing for the well
being of this precious resource. Through the years, plant
societies have supported the construction and maintenance
of specialty displays and collections. Garden clubs have donated
their energy and finances to help enhance the Garden. The
Friends
of the Mounts Botanical Garden, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3)
organization, was established for the sole purpose of supporting
the garden's many activities.
The Garden's 14 acres features tropical and subtropical plants
from six continents with well over 2,000 species of plants
to observe and study. Eighteen major plant collections reflect
the tremendous horticultural opportunities provided by Palm
Beach County's unique growing environment.
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The Palm Beach County Master Gardener Volunteer Program
In Palm Beach County, the Master Gardener Volunteer Program
began in 1982 and continues to provide training sessions to
qualify candidates as Master Gardeners.
Selection to become a candidate for the Master Gardener Volunteer
Training Program is not predicated on prior training, education,
knowledge or experience. Neither do age, race, sex, nor physical
disability dictate selection.
A sincere desire to help others, a desire to learn, and a
personal commitment to volunteer service are the major selection
criteria involved. Gardening experience and knowledge are
always helpful but are by no means a requirement for the Master
Gardener Volunteer Training Program.
Due to the practical, hands-on nature of the program, class
size is limited to a maximum of 35. However, if there are
not 35 qualified applicants, classes may be smaller. A pool
of less than 35 applicants does not guarantee admission to
all applicants. Applicants will be interviewed by the Extension
Agent and/or experienced Master Gardeners.
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Master Gardener Volunteer Training
The Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program is demanding
and intensive. Formal classroom work constitutes more than
fifty percent of the 100-hour training period. Subjects include
(but are not limited to) basic botany, vegetables, entomology,
citrus, turf grasses, use of (and alternatives to) pesticides,
houseplants, ornamentals, diseases, and other related topics.
All information is based on the knowledge and research provided
by the University of Florida.
Each of the fifteen weekly sessions lasts a minimum of seven
hours. A portion of most sessions is  practical,
hands-on activity related to the theory presented. Each trainee
is provided Master Gardener notebooks containing extensive
information from the University of Florida. These materials
are updated frequently so that Master Gardeners always have
access to the most current recommendations approved by the
University of Florida.
Master Gardeners deal only with homeowner-type questions.
The Extension Service Agents themselves respond to all commercial/professional
growers' problems.
Each trainee is assigned one mentor who will provide support
and advise throughout the training period. Trainees are required
to complete ten volunteer internship hours prior to completing
the Master Gardener Course. Mentors will assist trainees in
identifying internship opportunities. Internships may include
working in the Mounts Botanical Garden, assisting in administrative
tasks, participating in plant clinics, and others. All trainees
are required to spend two of the ten volunteer internship
hours working the Master Gardener Hotline.
Upon completion of the 100-hour training period, all Master
Gardener trainees are required to satisfactorily pass a comprehensive
examination on the materials covered. Only then can trainees
become certified and are awarded the title of Master Gardener.
Once certified, Master Gardeners must abide by a set of policies
established by the University
of Florida and IFAS.
See the Policy Requirements for Florida Master Gardeners section
for more details.
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Master Gardener Volunteer Activities
Most Master Gardener volunteer opportunities center around
the Extension Service offices in West Palm Beach and Delray
Beach. Master Gardener Volunteer Trainees must spend a minimum
of two internship hours in the Master Gardener Hotline room.
This period is a continuation of the training as the new Master
Gardener Volunteers become familiar with the office, its personnel
and facilities. Also, this provides an opportunity for Extension
Service Agents to become familiar with their new volunteers.
The remaining hours may be spent in a wide variety of activities
that are related to some aspect of gardening and contribute
to community education and service. Many Master Gardeners
continue their close association with the office by answering
telephones on a regular basis, becoming a Client Service Coordinator,
becoming involved with the Florida
Yards & Neighborhoods program, or developing presentations
for garden clubs and other civic associations. Others choose
to work in the bedding plant trials or other aspects of the
Mounts Botanical Garden. Visit the Position
Descriptions page for more information.
 As
the Master Gardeners assist the Extension Service Agents and
staff, they are in effect "extending the Extension Service".
As such, they provide advice and recommendations that have
been well documented as a result of experimentation and testing
and are approved by the University of Florida.
Other activities include, but are not limited to, developing
and maintaining databases and websites, managing Master Gardener
resources, plant clinics conducted throughout the county,
manning information booths at fairs and flower shows, giving
presentations at garden clubs and working with youth groups
(4-H and school children), just to name a few. There is something
for every gardening skill level. Many Master Gardeners far
surpass the mandatory 60 Volunteer work hours, with some exceeding several
hundred hours in a year.
Training never ceases for the certified and working Master
Gardener. Master Gardeners attend monthly educational meetings,
visit local gardens, nurseries, parks and similar facilities,
or participate in the Advanced Master Gardener classes to
further their horticultural knowledge. Specialized knowledge
is gained to better enable the Master Gardener to give expert
advice. Monthly meetings are also used for planning, information
exchange, updates and status reports on the program.
Once a year, IFAS conducts "postgraduate" Master
Gardener training at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
This voluntary, two-day session acquaints Master Gardeners
with the university's laboratories and diagnostic facilities,
and Extension Specialists present the latest horticultural
research and technical information, which Master Gardener
Volunteers can use when educating the public.
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Policy Requirements for Florida Master Gardeners
- The title "Florida Master Gardener" is to be
used only and exclusively in the Florida Extension Service Master Gardener program in which trained and certified
Master Gardeners answer gardening questions. In addition
to the University training, Master Gardeners have diagnostic
support via county extension horticulturists and state extension
specialists. Master Gardeners also are provided Extension Service publications. Master Gardeners are expected
to use the title only when doing unpaid volunteer educational
work in the Extension horticulture program.
- Florida Master Gardeners are advised not to advertise
their name or their place of business, nor to be listed
on the advertisements of business places as Master Gardeners.
This is a University of Florida-Florida Extension Service public service program. Appearing as a commercial
activity, having association with commercial products, or
giving implied University or Extension Service endorsement
of any product or place of business is improper.
- In making recommendations that include the use of chemicals
(e.g., insecticides, herbicides and fungicides), Florida
Master Gardeners must follow published Extension Service recommendations. Use of other pesticide recommendations
is not approved. Cultural problems that are not specifically
covered by Extension Service recommendations
may be handled by suggesting treatments that experienced
Master Gardeners consider appropriate. Questions concerning
commercial production of crops and pest control on such
crops are to be referred to the local County Extension Agent.
- A Florida Master Gardener must attend the prescribed hours
of instruction and pass an examination administered by the
Florida Extension Service before becoming a
certified
 Master
Gardener. This certification is restrictive in nature in
that it is valid only when the individual is participating
in the Florida Master Gardener program and for one year
only. If an individual ceases active participation, then
the certification as Master Gardener becomes void. New certifications
will be issued each year only to those individuals who make
a commitment to participation in the program for the coming
year. Those not continuing in the program will not be certified
and should be aware that if they represent themselves as
Master Gardeners they are violating their original commitment
to the Florida Extension Service.
- All Master Gardener volunteers must recognize the necessity
for representing the County Extension Service in a manner
consistent with exemplary citizenship and leadership. Standards
for Master Gardeners have been established to create a safe
and pleasant learning environment for the Master Gardener
program. In addition, procedures for due process are available
from the Extension Agent for a Master Gardener to follow
if he or she is charged with violating a standard and feels
the charge is unfounded.
- Master Gardeners are expected to participate in all components
of the planned program, be responsive to the reasonable
requests of the county agent in charge and be respectful
of the need for personal safety and the safety of others.
Along with active participation, Master Gardeners are expected
to uphold certain standards including, but not limited to,
the following:
- No possession or use of alcohol or drugs in the workplace
or on job assignments outside the extension office
- No abuse or theft of public or personal property
- No sexual harassment or misconduct
- No verbal abuse and failure to cooperate with others;
including other staff member and/or the public
- No possession of weapons or fireworks in the workplace
- No defamation of the organization
- No creating an implied or outright University or Extension
Service endorsement of any product or place of business
- No misrepresentation of sources of information
- No consistent giving out of incorrect information
- No use of state and/or county vehicles without authorization
- Failure to report any and all injuries to the County Extension
Agent as soon as possible or physical assault will result
in immediate dismissal.
- Any violations will result in dismissal pending due process.
Illegal activities will be referred to law enforcement authorities.
- The training and experience gained by participation in
the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program are valuable
and may rightfully be listed and featured as qualifications
when seeking employment. Once employed, and while serving
as a paid employee, or self-employed, Master Gardeners should
not display credentials or give the appearance of being
a Master Gardener at the place of business unless the place
of business is specifically designated as a Master Gardener
Clinic location by the County Extension Agent.
- Experienced Master Gardeners are likely to receive invitations
to speak before groups. Gratuitous payments for speaking
are not a concern since such speaking activities are entirely
separate from the question-answering done at Master Gardener
Clinics. However, please do not seek payment for such speaking
appearances.
Individuals who are not acting on behalf of the Florida
Extension Service are strongly urged to make every effort
to minimize the appearance of being on duty before making
any recommendations in the area of horticulture. Speaking
"off the record" is your right; however, make sure
everyone knows you are speaking for yourself and not the Extension
Service.
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Palm Beach County Master Gardener Guidelines
Certification
A Master Gardener is certified by:
- Completing 40 Volunteer work hours of volunteer work every calendar
year AND (only Volunteer work hours count towards certification)
- By completing twelve (12) units of horticulture training.
Examples of this are: Attending monthly Master Gardener Meetings,
New Master Gardener Training, Advanced Master Gardner Class,
Master Gardener Advanced Training in Gainesville, Friends
of the Mounts Wednesday night lectures, Plant Society educational
programs, Florida Federation of Garden Club Seminars, University
or Community College course work, etc. The Extension Agent
must approve this training.
Inactive Status
An inactive Master Gardener is one who fails to complete
40 volunteer work hours and 12 hours of horticultural training
in a calendar year. The following policies apply:
- An inactive Master Gardener is one who is in good standing,
having completed his/her original commitment of 40 hours
volunteer service per year.
- The inactive Master Gardener must attend twelve (12) hours
of approved horticultural training to become certified.
- The inactive Master Gardener must serve 40 of volunteer
service to become certified.
- An inactive Master Gardener can be certified at any time
as long as the above criteria are met.
- Inactive Master Gardeners are ineligible for Advanced
Master Gardener training class, advanced training in Gainesville,
and they are ineligible to serve as mentors.
Volunteer Hours
Volunteer work hours are hours that count directly towards
Master Gardener certification. The jobs/positions listed in
this manual count as core volunteer hours. Other core hour
opportunities may exist, but must have prior approval by the
Master Gardener Coordinator.
Education hours (CEUs) are earned by attending Master Gardener
Meetings, workshops, Friends workshops, field trips, plant
society lectures, and others.
Master Gardeners are responsible for completing the monthly
volunteer hours worksheet. Worksheets are mailed with
the monthly Master Gardener Newsletter.
Worksheets are turned into the Master Gardener office.
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