Have you ever wanted to become a Rutgers Master Gardener?
Rutgers Master Gardeners are volunteers trained and certified by Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension to provide educational programs and activities in support of environmentally responsible home gardening throughout New Jersey.
Anyone with an interest in gardening and a commitment to volunteer service can become a Rutgers Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required.
The first Master Gardener program in New Jersey started in Bergen County in 1984. Since then, Rutgers Cooperative Extension has trained thousands of Rutgers Master Gardeners across the state. In return, these Rutgers Master Gardeners have donated hundreds of thousands of hours in service to the residents of New Jersey. In 2022, in Monmouth County alone there were a total of 264 Rutgers Master Gardener volunteers who contributed 15,440 hours of service worth $423,982.40.
Rutgers Master Gardeners receive in-depth, hands-on training in horticulture from Rutgers University faculty and professional staff. Some basic topics include plant biology, propagation, soil science, and disease and pest control. Participants pay a fee to cover material and program costs and learn from a combination of classroom and garden-based instruction (scholarships are available). In exchange for the training, Rutgers Master Gardeners agree to volunteer a certain number of hours, working in their community in programs sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Successful graduates of the training become Certified Rutgers Master Gardeners after they complete their volunteer service.
Rutgers Master Gardeners use their skills in a variety of areas, including gardening demonstrations, telephone helplines and plant clinics, community and youth gardening, horticultural therapy, information booths at county fairs and other public events, research assistance at Rutgers University, and growing and harvesting food for the hungry.
The Rutgers Master Gardeners help to maintain educational demonstration gardens at Rutgers Cooperative Extension County Offices throughout the state. These sites include native plant gardens, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and Plant A Row for the Hungry gardens, which produce thousands of pounds of vegetables that are donated to local food assistance programs every year.
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Trained Master Gardener volunteers also operate a year-round telephone helpline to advise the public about horticultural matters and diagnose and solve home gardening problems. County residents may get free answers to home garden, insect, and pest questions by calling their local Master Gardener helpline. After hours, on weekends, and during especially busy times of the year, you can also leave a voicemail stating your questions, and your call will be returned. You can also email questions, photographs and general gardening inquiries to the Rutgers Master Gardeners and they will reply with accurate, science-based information to help solve any gardening issues.
Rutgers Master Gardeners are also available to consult on local public gardening projects. They can provide assistance with garden planning and educational outreach and advice.
If you are looking for someone to speak at your next meeting or event, Rutgers Master Gardeners can provide a speaker for just about any gardening topic. With a broad range of expertise ― from growing roses to generating compost, Japanese beetles to Jersey woodchucks, Rutgers Master Gardeners are happy to share their knowledge with your group or organization.
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Many Rutgers Master Gardeners are trained in horticultural enrichment, which is a process utilizing plants and horticultural activities to improve the social, educational, psychological, and physical well-being of people. These activities have proven to be therapeutic for many groups and individuals, as they are able to connect with the calming experience of working with plants.
The Rutgers Master Gardeners host a variety of public events throughout the year. These events include a virtual Coffee Talk Series in February, a Home Garden Symposium, a School Garden Conference (for educators), spectacular plant sales, a Butterfly Workshop and an award-winning Bugs, Birds, and Beyond festival for children in August.
If you are interested in becoming a Rutgers Master Gardener, or in learning more about their upcoming programs, or if you have any lawn and garden questions that you would like help with, you can contact your local Rutgers Cooperative Extension County Office. Classes for the 2023 Master Gardener training program start in February and applications are available now. A full directory of Rutgers Cooperative Extension County Offices throughout the state can be found at: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/.