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ProfileSTART OF THE PROGRAM. The Master Gardener Program is a service offered by University Cooperative Extension Office. The program began in King and Pierce Counties of Washington state in 1972 by Dr. David Gibby, a County Horticulture Agent, and has spread throughout the United States and Canada. It was started in Graham County by Dr. Ron Walser in 1998.BRIEF PURPOSE. The mission of the Master Gardener Program is to provide horticulture information and training to the gardening public, based on University of Arizona research specific to desert climate, soils and plant materials. Examples are: by staffing plant question phone lines, giving talks to local groups, introducing children to gardening, presenting information in garden and trade shows, organizing educational programs and conferences, writing articles for the newsletter. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. Classes that typically consist of three-hour sessions for 13 consecutive weeks to become an Associate Master Gardener must be completed. In order to become Certified Master Gardeners, Associates must complete and document 50 hours of approved volunteer service within one year of the date of their graduation. Each year after certification, to become recertified, Master Gardeners must submit documentation of completion of 25 hours of approved volunteer service and 12 hours of approved continuing education. The Master Gardener year runs a calendar year (January 1st to December 31st.) HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OUR GRAHAM COUNTY? In 1998, Horticultural Extension Agent, Dr. Ron Walser, started the Master Gardener Program and a non-profit Master Gardeners Association to support the educational mission of the Cooperative Extension in Graham County. The current agent, Dr. Randy Norton, continues the program, teaching the thirteen-week Master Gardener course and assists the Master Gardeners Association. Prospective Master Gardeners who take the course study such topics as soil, pest management, botany, gardening, landscaping and environmental stewardship. Association activities include: |