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Become a Master Gardener Volunteer with The University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

    The Spring classes will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from January 12 - May 4, 2010, at the Desert Breeze Police Substation, 251 N Desert Breeze Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226.  Click to map it!  Applications are due November 30, 2009.
    The Summer classes will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from July 13 - November 2, 2010, at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County office, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040.  Click to map it!  Applications are due May 31, 2010.
    This site contains information on the Master Gardener Program in Maricopa County, Arizona. For information on Master Gardening programs in other Arizona counties or in other states contact the local Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent.

What is a Maricopa County Master Gardener?

    A Maricopa County Master Gardener is an individual who completes a University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County specialized course in gardening in the low desert. This person then provides educational leadership to the community in home gardening and landscaping. Maricopa County Master Gardeners help Extension in fulfilling the educational outreach mission by:

    • staffing plant question phone lines
    • giving talks to local groups
    • introducing children to gardening
    • presenting information at garden and trade shows
    • organizing educational programs and conferences
    • creating and maintaining demonstration gardens which showcase new plants, new planting methods, composting, new irrigation methods, etc.

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Why Become a Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer?

    As a Master Gardener you can help to educate and advise home gardeners in your community. Many newcomers and inexperienced gardeners in the Valley are in great need of gardening and landscaping advice. Our informative training will give you the skills needed to diagnose plant problems and give you the confidence to share your expertise with others. You will have the opportunity to work with school children, teachers, seniors, community gardeners and homeowners. You can develop public speaking skills or learn to use computers and other technologies.

    Being a Master Gardener volunteer is fun, interesting and rewarding.
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The Maricopa County Master Gardener Program

    The Master Gardener program and training is conducted by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension through the Maricopa County office. The training provides gardeners with the opportunity to improve their horticultural knowledge and skills and then share their experience with the public through organized volunteer activities.

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Maricopa County Master Gardener Training

    Classes are taught by University of Arizona Extension Faculty, professionals and other horticulture experts. The program covers the challenges specific to gardening in the low desert. A sample of topics covered include:

    • Botany
    • Plant Problem Diagnosis
    • Soils
    • Ornamentals
    • Pest Management
    • Fruits
    • Vegetables and Herbs
    • Plant Propagation
    • Turf
    • Desert-Adapted Landscape Plants
    • Cacti and Succulents
    • Composting
    • Landscape Design

    Training sessions are scheduled in different locations of the Valley on a rotational basis. Classes meet once a week for a three-hour session for 17 consecutive weeks.

    Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as sign language interpreter, by contacting Kristen Wagner, (602) 827-8200 x311. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
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Cost

    The cost is $275.00, which includes the publication notebook, training manual, books, insignia polo shirt and all handouts.

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Benefits of Being a Master Gardener

    Help to Educate Your Community
    • Help gardeners solve their plant problems
    • Promote environmental responsibility through water conservation and least-toxic pest control
    • Beautify the Valley by teaching about appropriate plants for our climate
    • Work with school and community gardens

    Education For You
    • Monthly Education Programs
    • Monthly Master Gardener Newsletter
    • Bi-monthly Horticulture Journal
    • Advanced Training on Special Topics
    • Annual Horticulture Tour
    • Annual Conference

    Fun and Friendship
    • Work with some of the most talented and interesting gardeners in the Valley
    • Participate in team projects

    Recognition
    • Win local, state, national and international awards
    • Take on leadership roles
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Commitment

    To become a certified Master Gardener participants must complete the initial training class and donate 50 hours of volunteer service. There are a wide variety of service opportunities available ranging from answering gardening questions from the public, to planning public events, to working with school gardens. To remain in the program after the first year a donation of 25 hours of service and 12 hours of continuing education are required.
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Who Can Apply?

    Anyone with an interest in horticulture and volunteering can apply for the Master Gardener program. If you have an interest in improving your skills and knowledge and the desire to work with people, the Master Gardener program may be for you. There are frequently more applicants for the program than slots available. Selection is based on history of volunteer service and level of specific skills and knowledge of value to the program.
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How To Apply

    All interested individuals are encouraged to apply. Please download the application for the class! A tuition fee of $275.00, payable to the University of Arizona, must be remitted with your application. If you are requesting financial assistance, please check the appropriate box on the application.

Download Application

    Complete the application, including the Memorandum of Understanding and the background consent form. The application is a fillable PDF file in which you can type your information, but you will be unable to save it to your computer, depending on the PDF application you are utilizing. After it is completed, print, sign, and mail all forms in with a check for $275.00 to:

    Maricopa County Master Gardener Program
    Attn: Kristen Wagner
    4341 E. Broadway Rd.
    Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807

    For answers to questions and more information, contact:
    Kristen R. Wagner
    Master Gardener Program Coordinator
    (602) 827-8200 x311
    or
    Debbie Mauldin
    (602) 827-8200 x308
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Upcoming Master Gardener Training Classes

January 12 - May 4, 2010 (Tuesdays)

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Desert Breeze Police Substation

251 N Desert Breeze Blvd

Chandler, AZ 85226


July 13 - November 2, 2010 (Tuesdays)

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County

4341 E Broadway Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85040

To Home Horticulture in Maricopa County, AZ

Maricopa County Master Gardener Program Overview University of Arizona Logo
Last Updated July 27, 2009
The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu Voice: (602) 827-8200 ext. 311, Fax (602) 827-8292

http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/mgs/mg-broch.htm