1. K-State home
  2. »Research and Extension
  3. »Hamilton
  4. »Hamilton County Master Gardener

Hamilton County

Master Gardener

 Master Gardner

Master Gardeners are a vital part of K-State Research and Extension. Donating time in return for horticultural training, Master Gardeners help our county agents meet the need for horticultural information in their communities. The means of providing this information is diverse including horticultural "hotlines", demonstration gardens, working garden shows, public presentations and providing tours. Master Gardeners in Kansas donated over 101,000 hours during 2014 for a total value of over 2.1 million dollars.

Mission:

The purpose of the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program is to provide trained volunteers willing to serve as program assistants for educational programs developed and supported by extension councils and K-State Research and Extension.  The local extension council should be involved in implementing and monitoring progress with the EMG program with frequent reports of program impact and activities.

Who Can Be A Master Gardner?

Anyone with an interest in horticulture can apply for the Extension Master Gardener Program if it is active in your county. If you want to improve your skills and knowledge and you like to work with people, the Extension Master Gardener Program may be for you.

Requirements

Application Guidelines for Participation include:

  • Be a resident of Hamilton County.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Possess a broad interest in horticulture.
  • Understand the value of volunteering.
  • Support the objectives of the Master Gardner program of the Hamilton County Extension Council.
  • Attend the basic Extension Master Gardener Training Course.
  • The first year, return 40 hours of service time on projects that benefit the community and events sponsored by the Hamilton County Extension Office.
  • Be an active participant in the Extension Master Gardener Program local and state wide.
  • Continue an annual commitment to volunteer at least 20 hours.
  • Continue your Master Gardener education with 8 hours of advanced training, annually.

Why Become a Master Gardener?

Extension Master Gardeners become friends with many interesting and talented individuals. They share ideas with one another. Extension Master Gardeners never stop learning, but continue to grow in the knowledge of garden related issues. Being an Extension Master Gardener volunteer is a fun, interesting and rewarding experience.

 

women with flowers

Master Gardeners often make new friends while participating in volunteer activities.

EMG Volunteers Are:

  • Motivated to share their knowledge and expertise.
  • Accessible to other Master Gardeners horticulture & Extension professionals and the public.
  • Service-oriented to enhance their communities and the environment.
  • Trained by Cooperative Extension in current horticultural practices.
  • Excited about meeting other people who enjoy gardening.
  • Research ambassadors who provide cutting-edge horticulture information to consumers.

What Will I Learn?

The Extension Master Gardener training program provides over 40 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction in horticulture related areas. Classes in the training program include:

  • Basic Botany
  • Soil Science
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Landscape Designs
  • Lawn Care
  • Annual & Perennials
  • Trees & Shrubs
  • Entomology
  • Houseplants
  • Plant Pathology
  • Landscape Maintenance
  • Propagation

hands holding plant

Touch Lives Through:

community landscape
beautification projects
environmental awareness education
school classroom projects
demonstration gardens
EMG Book