Idaho Master Gardener Program offers an ‘abundance of knowledge’

Do you love gardening, spending time outdoors and helping others? The Idaho Master Gardener Program might be for you.

Nearly 80 percent of households in the U.S. participate in gardening. Although there is useful information on the internet for gardening, it can be difficult to determine what is useful information and what is bad information.

Started in 1970, the Master Gardener Program was designed to provide reliable, relevant, and research-based information to the public. The Idaho Master Gardener Program is a valuable resource in helping educate Idaho’s citizens about the art and science of growing and caring for plants and landscapes in a scientifically sustainable way.

What is the Idaho Master Gardener Program?

The Idaho Master Gardener Program is a volunteer development program. Participants receive intensive gardening and horticulture training during their 14-week course that prepares them to help other gardeners with their gardening and horticulture problems. They then volunteer with their local extension educator in providing hands-on gardening programming for their community.

Volunteers may operate free plant diagnostic clinics, mentor youth in community and school gardens, write articles for the newspaper, teach community gardening classes and workshops, maintain demonstration gardens or a variety of other activities that develop and encourage gardening in their local communities.

Program participants Duane and Debi Sevieri said about their participation in the master gardener program, “An abundance of knowledge that is passed down and condensed into weekly courses. The educators really do a fantastic job in answering questions, sharing resources, and providing insite. A great opportunity to learn relative to our environment. Grateful for the MG Program.”

Upon completion of the course master gardeners are considered paraprofessionals in home horticulture. University of Idaho credit is available to those who are interested.

When does the Idaho Master Gardener Program get started?

The Idaho Master Gardener Program is taught by University of Idaho Extension educators in your community. Each county can adapt the program to best fit their community. In Eastern Idaho, the program starts January 17 and runs through April 3. The class will meet for one hour each week on Wednesday nights via Zoom and will have TWO hours of additional recorded lessons that students will watch on their own throughout the week. Classes will consist of a 30-minute lesson on a special topic and 30 minutes of questions and answers. Field trips, hands-on labs and additional training are offered throughout the year.

How do I participate in the Idaho Master Gardener Program?

To enroll in this year’s class, reach out to Lena Allen at (208) 529-1390 or lallen@uidaho.edu in the Bonneville County Extension office. The class fee is $180, with $155 refunded upon completion of the coursework and associated hands-on volunteer training. In addition, you can contact any of your local extension offices to get more information.