Process for applying to the Penn State Master Gardener Program in Perry County
Photo credit: Joe Swager
Penn State Extension in Perry County trains Master Gardeners every other year, with the next training class starting October 2024. This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others in their communities. Applications are due by June 30, 2024.
As a Penn State Master Gardener trainee, one must complete a twenty-week course with lessons lead by Penn State Agricultural Educators, Program assistants, and Master Gardeners. Topics include botany, plant propagation, insects and diseases, plant identification, diagnostics, and much more. In exchange for over 40 hours of instruction, the Master Gardener trainees agree to devote 50 hours of volunteer time to the Master Gardener program throughout the following year. To maintain Master Gardener status, an additional 20 hours and 10 hours of approved advanced education is required in subsequent years.
Volunteer activities carried out by Master Gardeners might include upkeep and programming in a variety of demonstration gardens, hosting educational booths at local festivals and events, delivering presentations on various gardening topics for local schools, groups, and organizations, and assisting with programming sponsored by the Master Gardeners, such as composting, pollinator gardens, plant sales, and answering questions for the garden hotline.
A program fee of $200 covers the cost of training materials and expenses. This fee provides each candidate with an award-winning Master Gardener Manual, valued at $75. Financial assistance is available to individuals if this fee represents a barrier to their participation in the program.
To apply to be considered for the Master Gardener Basic Training Course, please complete this application Master Gardeners in Perry County Basic Training application
For questions or for a paper application, please contact our Master Gardener coordinator Anne Kaiser at axk6206@psu.edu
