What is the Master Gardener Program?

Master Gardeners are community volunteers who support Penn State Cooperative Extension's educational programs in comsumer horticulture. Our interests are varied, but we are unified by our love of gardening, and commitment to share what we know, and what we have learned (and are continually learning) with our community. After an initial 30 hours of classroom training by county extension agricultural agents, we begin our volunteer service commitment. In order to achieve the title of Master Gardener, in addition to the classroom training, each agrees to volunteer 50 hours of service the first year. To maintain the title, a minimum of 20 hours of community service is required each year thereafter, with at least 8 hours of advanced training to maintain proficiency, and stay current with Penn State Cooperative Extension guidelines.

Master Gardeners provide educational training and hands-on demonstrations in:

• plant selection
• weed, insect and disease identification
• composting
• landscape design
• pest control
• park improvement
• vegetable gardening
• tree pruning and care
• community gardening ... and more

Master Gardeners cooperate with local organizations, schools and service clubs and provide speakers on a wide variety of gardening topics. They provide a link between their community and Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Some of the volunteer activities for Franklin County Master Gardeners are:

• working with groups on community beautification
• creating demonstration gardens and trial gardens
• teaching plant science to school-age children
• teaching horticulture to adults
• answering gardening questions
• holding plant clinics throughout the County
• teaching environmentally sound gardening to community groups
• writing articles for local newspapers
• establishing garden programs for special-needs audiences
• working with community gardens
• helping our overworked and underbudgeted extension offices extend their expertise and knowledge throughout the community.

For more information about the Franklin County Master Gardeners, contact the Extension Office:

Franklin County Extension
191 Franklin Farm Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 263-9226
(717) 263-9228 Fax