Master Gardener

The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer educational program designed to meet the horticultural needs of citizens of Ohio. It's purpose is to train volunteers and utilize their expertise to teach people more about plants, their culture, their importance to the environment and to our quality of life. Master Gardener volunteers provide technical assistance to their county Extension office in order that consumer horticulture activities and programs can be more effectively and efficiently delivered to Ohio's gardening public. Master Gardener trainees receive formal training from their county Extension office covering a wide range of pertinent horticultural topics. To become a Master Gardener, the trainee must complete the training program, pass the required exams, and volunteer a specified number of hours to Extension. The trainee will have 50 training hours and 50 volunteer hours to complete their certification.

The volunteer commitment may be fulfilled in a number of different ways depending on the determined needs of the county. After the completion of the initial required volunteer time, volunteers are encouraged to continue to assist with horticultural program delivery as an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.