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What is the Greater Greenville Master Gardener Association?

The membership organization of Greenville Master Gardeners, namely, The Greater Greenville Master Gardeners Association of South Carolina, is an educational, nonprofit, adult volunteer group that provides non-biased, research-based horticultural information to the community. Greenville Master Gardeners work in partnership with the Clemson University Extension Office as a service arm of Extension Horticulture. Members of the Association are residents of Greenville County who are willing to learn and share gardening knowledge with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture and their work in the community.

What is the South Carolina Master Gardener™ Volunteer Training Program?

This volunteer training program is administered by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. Introduced in Charleston County in 1981, the Master Gardener program is now offered in 36 counties.

The Master Gardener program is divided into two parts: Instruction and Service.
In the first part, participants receive at least 40 hours of intensive, practical horticultural training. The following topics are covered to various degress in the program:

• Soils and Plant Nutrition
• Basic Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Entomology
• Vegetable Gardening
• Tree and Small Fruit Culture
• Culture of Woody Ornamentals
• Lawn Management
• Basic Landscape Design
• Problem Solving

After successfully completing the classroom portion, which involves regular attendance and passing a final exam, participants receive the title of "Master Gardener." The Master Gardener graduates then donate at least 40 hours of service to complete the last part of the program.

Will I Learn More After Becoming A Master Gardener?
Master Gardeners never stop learning. Volunteer activities, Master Gardener association meetings, Extension inservice trainings, and annual State Master Gardener Continued Training Conferences offer Master Gardeners a wide range of opportunities to increase their knowledge, develop new skills, exchange program ideas, and forge new friendships.

Is the Master Gardener Program for You?
Ask yourself these questions:
• Do I want to learn more about plants, pests, landscaping and gardening?
• Do I want to participate in an intensive, practical training program?
• Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
• Do I have the time to commit to both the training and the volunteer service?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, then the Master Gardener program could be for you!

How Can I Become a Master Gardener?
If you have the desire, commitment and time to learn and want to put your knowledge and skills to work through volunteer service, then apply for admission to the Master Gardener program.

Enrollment and Training
Some, but not all, applicants will be interviewed to fill the 50 available program spaces. Admittance will be based on the current needs of the organization. Like all other CU Cooperative Extension Services, the Master Gardener program is open to all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status. If accepted, you will be required to attend a Master Gardener training course taught by Clemson Extension agents, specialists, and local experts. The training program offers a minimum of 40 hours of instruction on soils and plant nutrition; insect, disease, and weed management; plant problem solving; vegetable and herb gardening; annuals; perennials; basic landscape design; and turf management, as well as other topics.

What is Expected of Master Gardeners?
After completing the course, Master Gardeners are required to volunteer at least 40 hours of service in the Clemson Extension office or in the community. The volunteer activities are coordinated through the local county Extension office.
Master Gardeners share their knowledge and skills in a number of ways: answering horticulture calls at the Extension office; speaking to garden and civic clubs; working with youth or senior groups; and assisting communities with beautification projects.
Many Master Gardeners far exceed the expected 40 hours of service. Many continue in the program beyond the first year, motivated by their willingness to help others and the personal satisfaction derived from participating in this community service program

Certification
Each student will be distinguished as a "Certified Master Gardener" after completing the training course and fulfilling the 40-hour volunteer commitment.
Long-term membership in the Association is encouraged. It is hoped that program participants will choose to volunteer well beyond the number of hours required for certification, continuing to develop new skills, increase their knowledge, exchange ideas and forge new friendships.
The service undertaken by Master Gardeners varies according to community needs, as well as the abilities and interests of the individuals. Some current Master Gardener projects include phone support at the Extension Office, "Ask a Master Gardener" events, presentation of programs to garden clubs and other groups, as well as an annual symposium, basic-gardening lecture series, and plant sale. Volunteers also lend their expertise at various community gardens, including the gardens of Roper Mountain Science Center, the vegetable garden of Project Host Soup Kitchen and Linky Stone Children’s Garden.