The Penn State Extension trains Master Gardeners through a course called "Basic Training". This course provides our Master Gardener Trainees with the information and skills which are necessary in order to appropriately represent the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners within the communities we serve.
In Lycoming County, our next basic training class will begin in September 2024 and end in April 2025.
Q. What Does the Basic Training Class Entail?
- Attend weekly VIRTUAL Lectures, presented by Penn State Professors and Educators
- Read and Study the Assigned Chapters Each Week
- Attend Monthly Hands-on Workshops at the Extension Office
- Pass the Midterm and Finals with an 80% average grade or higher
- Present your Project at our Trainee Fair Day
In addition to the 40+ hours of instruction during Basic Training, Trainees agree to volunteer for 50 hours to the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners program. After Master Gardener Trainees complete their first year (40 hours of instruction and 50 hours of volunteer work), they become a Master Gardener. In order to maintain their status as Master Gardener, they must complete 20 hours of volunteer work and 10 hours of continuing education each year.
Q. What are some of the volunteer activities I might do as a Master Gardener?
- Teach a lecture (over zoom or in person) or a hands-on workshop in your area of interest at the extension office, or schools, nursing homes, symposium, festivals, etc.
- Seed to Supper: Provide a multi-week class to a small group within a community center or church. Focuses on the beginner gardener: how to start a garden, start composting, plant, transplant, thin, weed, control pests and harvest, etc.
- Veggie Trials Research Program and Grow-Save-Repeat Research Program: Statewide programs which shows home gardeners of all experience levels how to save the seeds from their garden as well as how to breed their own unique varieties of fruits and vegetables through a few simple steps.
- Run Your Own Horticultural Research Study: We currently are running a small study on possible acidification of soil due to our pine needle mulch in our demonstration and sensory gardens. Also, look up the MG Bee Monitoring Project: an award-winning, state-wide program.
- Write articles for publication: there are various outlets and needs for this, including our own extension.psu.edu
- Work in demonstration gardens and the sensory garden: hours you spend weeding, transplanting or otherwise preparing the gardens count towards volunteer hours as we use these gardens for educational outreach.
- Grower’s Market in Williamsport: We provide educational info and promote upcoming events at our booth at the market.
- First Friday Downtown Williamsport: every first Friday of the month in downtown Williamsport, we have a booth to answer questions and promote upcoming events.
- Kids’ Day: usually the first or second week of June, we host a free event for kids in a festival-like atmosphere with approximately 15 different events for children to try
- Plant sales: Every spring, we hold our biggest fundraiser. Also, we provide educational info on the plants we sell to our customers.
- Hotline: answer the public's questions through our extension phone number or email address
- Post to socials (Facebook, newsletter)
- Research grants and donations opportunities
- Start a program to plant American chestnut trees, possibly through tacf.org
- Organize and teach a day camp or monthly classes for a specific age group
- Start a Lycoming program of “Growing Gardeners”: a youth agriculture education program
- Take part in the poison prevention program at various schools
- Or, take part in one of the many other opportunities available, or your brand-new idea here!
There is a fee of $200 to cover the textbook (or "Basic Training Manual"), and hands-on training materials and expenses.
For more information, please contact the Lycoming County Penn State Extension office located at 542 County Farm Rd., Ste. 206, Montoursville, PA, call 433-3040, or check out the Master Gardeners website. Or, stop by the office and check out the gardens!
If you are interested in taking Basic Training and becoming a Master Gardener, or would like more information on Basic Training class dates and times, please contact Erica Thetford (the Lycoming County Master Gardener Coordinator) at emt5756@psu.edu, and she will be in touch with you!
Or, apply now:
