Penn State Master Gardener Program of Lancaster County

Penn State Master Gardeners of Lancaster County are trained volunteers who give of their knowledge and expertise in varied areas of horticulture as a public service to consumers of the county.

Membership Requirements

Volunteer Activities

Application Information

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

     To become a Master Gardener calls for a strong interest in gardening, a willingness to expand horticultural knowledge, and a desire to share this knowledge.

     Applicants will be tested to measure their horticultural knowledge and interviewed regarding volunteering expectations. Applicants accepted for training must attend orientation and sign a commitment to volunteer service and to support Penn State's policies and practices.

     Candidates are then required to attend 15 classes, totaling 45 hours, over several months. Some topics of study are plant science, integrated pest management, pestcide safety, plant propagation, soil science, plant diseases, and insect pests. Upon completion of all classes a final exam is required.

     Within the first year after classroom study, trainees are required to volunteer 50 hours to the community through Cooperative Extension. At the completion of this volunteer service trainees will receive Master Gardener Certification. Within each year thereafter, members need to volunteer at least 20 hours and earn eight hours of additional horticultural training in order to maintain the title of Certified Master Gardener.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

     Master Gardeners of Lancaster County meet their volunteer commitment through the following committees and projects, along with any new project(s) once approved by the Coordinator:

Horticultural Answering Service

Answer home owners gardening questions

Kids In The Garden

Reaching children in classroom situations

Graphic Arts

Designing horticultural and informational displays and brochures

Garden Symposium

Plan and manage All-day horticultural event

Demonstration Gardens

Located at the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Landisville, PA

Office Staff

Maintain horticulture information files for Master Gardener use

Man informational displays for the public

At local garden centers and fairs

Research Trial Gardens located at the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Landisville, PA

Plant, maintain and provide information on new plants

Gardening with at-risk youth

Teach new skills and build self-esteem

Public lectures

At senior centers, churches, garden clubs, etc.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

     Applications for the Master Gardener Program are scheduled to be mailed in the spring. Your request for an application will be held until that mailing. Testing and interviews take place in May and June, and classes begin in late Summer. Please note: There will not be another class starting until 2010.

Complete the Application Form and mail to:

Master Gardener Coordinator
Cooperative Extension
1383 Arcadia Road
Room 140
Lancaster, PA 17601-3184

Information for Lancaster County Master Gardeners
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