Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County

Last Update: Apirl 18, 2013

GENERAL INFORMATION:

About Rutgers Master Gardeners in Hunterdon County

Contact

Garden Information Helpline

Frequently Asked Questions on Becoming a Master Gardener

Speakers Bureau Program Topics

RCE Horticulture Information

PARTNERS:

Hunterdon County, NJ

NJ Agricultural Experiment Station

Rutgers, The State University of NJ

United States Department of Agriculture

New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Back to Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County

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Rutgers Master Gardeners are a unique group of trained volunteers who provide horticultural programs and services to enhance their communities.

Rutgers Master Gardeners are enthusiastic, willing to learn and help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people.

NEWSLETTER

The Gardener's Home: Gardening News and Issues for Somerset and Hunterdon Counties

Gardener's Home Newsletter is a joint publication of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Articles appear by Rutgers master Gardener volunteers and Extension staff in both counties.

• Spring 2012
• Winter 2011
• Fall 2011
• Summer 2011

 

CONTACT

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County Master Gardeners
Mailing Address: PO Box 2900 Flemington, NJ 08822-2900	Physical Location: 314 Route 12 County Complex Building #2 PO Box 2900 Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908.788.1338

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GARDEN INFORMATION HELPLINE

HELPLINE
Phone: (908) 788-1735        Fax: (908) 806-4735
Email - gardeners@co.hunterdon.nj.us

NOTE: It is Extremely Important for you to provide your mailing address and phone number and email address when you write to the Master Gardeners.

Residents can call our RUTGERS MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE or come to the Cooperative Extension office for horticultural information and help with various gardening problems. You may also email us at: gardeners@co.hunterdon.nj.us.

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ABOUT THE RUTGERS MASTER GARDENERS IN HUNTERDON COUNTY

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Rutgers Master Gardener program in Hunterdon County is to promote and extend Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension’s educational programs in the area of home horticulture.  Some examples include:

• Support the County Extension office by staffing the Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline. The Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline is a vital service through which volunteers and Extension personnel answer questions on home horticulture topics from callers and visitors. These topics include but are not limited to trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals, lawns, insects and plant diseases.
• Support horticulture education programs through which county residents obtain up-to-date information from Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
• Support Extension’s outreach programs by providing horticultural education to local community groups, including: libraries, parks, garden clubs, schools, health centers, government agencies, etc.

TO BECOME A CERTIFIED MASTER GARDENER YOU MUST

• Be a resident of Hunterdon or Somerset County. (Residents of other counties may be accepted if there is space in the class and they are willing to volunteer in Hunterdon and/or Somerset County.)
• Meet all application criteria. (Class space is limited. Qualified applicants are admitted on a first come basis.)
• Complete an intensive training program which includes basic horticulture information and problem solving techniques.
• Complete 100 volunteer hours, including 50 Helpline hours - daytime, weekdays only.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON BECOMING A MASTER GARDENER

Who can become a Master Gardener?

Individuals with an interest in both gardening and volunteer service are eligible for the program. No previous experience is necessary.

What type of training is given?

Rutgers Cooperative Extension offers a series of in-depth lectures. This comprehensive horticultural training provides the practical experience and research-based knowledge needed to competently share gardening information. In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer time through their local county extension office.

What type of volunteer activities exist?

The opportunities for volunteer services are limitless

• diagnose plant, insect and disease problems at the County Helpline
• lead gardening activities at local schools
• design a demonstration or community garden, harvest food for the hungry
• lecture on various gardening topics
• bring the joys of gardening to senior citizens and persons with disabilities; and
• much, much more.

Your training and instruction is free. A one time fee is assessed to cover materials and program costs. The instructional materials are yours to keep for your personal reference collection.

Why should I become a Master Gardener?

You will become knowledgeable about a wide array of horticultural subjects. You will be trained by professionals from Rutgers University. The practical training is designed to increase your confidence and horticultural skills, enabling you to assist the public with questions and problems involved with gardening. Volunteer services helps your community and you derive the pleasure and reward of working with others who share your interests.

Volunteers also participate in advanced Master Gardener training classes and field trips. Developing new ways to participate assures you that the learning process and the opportunities for satisfaction never end. In addition, there are statewide, regional, and national associations. In New Jersey, you can be on the advisory council and help direct the future path of the Master Gardener Program. Every year there is either a regional or national conference where you can meet with other Master Gardeners, trade ideas, and get suggestions for more programs to try in New Jersey.

How do I become a Master Gardener?

Once you successfully complete the training program and pass the final exam, you will be awarded your diploma at a graduation ceremony, and begin an internship. You will become a certified Master Gardener once you fulfill your minimum volunteer commitment. Once certified, you can only use your Master Gardener title when participating in Rutgers Cooperative Extension events.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY TO THE PROGRAM, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE:

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SPEAKERS BUREAU PROGRAM TOPICS

• A printable list of the Speaker's Bureau Program Topics

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