I imagine that many of you are familiar with the terminal figure “ Master Gardener , ” but if asked what that ’s all about , you might occur up short . For example , a common misconception is that we take care of individual homeowners ’ garden free of charge . Let ’s take a manner of walking through the landscape painting of Master Gardening to bump out more .
What ’s the Master Gardener Program ?
Master Gardeners are voluntary who offer enquiry - based horticultural education , counselling , and resource in their local community . As in most states , Virginia ’s Master Gardeners are an arm of the Extension Service , theVirginia Cooperative Extension(VCE ) , and we serve the VCE in achieving its elementary goal : sharing with the public the immense scientific expertise of Virginia ’s two nation - grant agricultural university , Virginia Tech and Virginia State University . VCE is dedicate to Virginians working together in their communities , homes , and businesses .
datum from 2019 show the power of collective activity among Extension Master Gardeners ( EMGs ) in our State Department . Virginia ’s 4,800 EMGs made 611,485 inter-group communication with the public and lead 413,804 volunteer time of day . The entire economic value of that service of process was equivalent to $ 11.3 million .
Nearly all 50 states , as well as the District of Columbia , offer Extension Master Gardener curriculum that include intensive preparation through land demesne - grant universities . In 1972 , as the country ’s universe extend to migrate away from agricultural part and toward urban and suburban area , the Master Gardener platform was created to get together ever - increasing requests for information and accompaniment from enthusiastic home gardeners . To learn more about the history of the Master Gardening , read aboutDr . David Gibby , the Fatherhood of the Extension Master Gardener program .
In our field , Piedmont Master Gardeners(PMG ) , a group of 156 volunteers and 24 intern from the 2020 class , serve resident of Charlottesville and Albemarle County . The local extension office and headquarters for PMG is located at 460 Stagecoach Road in the County Office Building at 5thStreet Extension , where a coordinator and several faculty members administer the broadcast .
Who are Master Gardeners ?
Extension Master Gardeners are voluntary pedagogue who divvy up knowledge and expertise with the public to encourage sustainable landscape direction . In the process , they increase public awareness and understanding related to healthy soil , integrate pest management , aboriginal plants , pee timbre , and invasive species . EMGs receive specialized preparation to prepare them for service as residential district leaders with in - depth horticultural noesis of vegetable horticulture , decorative plants , trees and bush , turf management , and landscape design .
You might be surprised to discover that your PMG friends represent a variety of backgrounds and professions . This diverse chemical group include people of all age , from twenty - somethings to people who have know eight or more decade of lifetime . Although everyone repose in Albemarle County now , many of us have live in different parts of the United States prior to square up here . With wish to professional careers , Piedmont Master Gardeners hail from various vocations : nurses , doctor , medical investigator , attorneys , educators , engineer , creative person , intriguer , accountants , professors , builders , landscape architect , counselors , psychologists , physical therapists , dietician , musicians , computer software engineers , and more .
What bring us together is a shared passionateness for horticulture and the rude world . The common thread is that each one of us is give to raise public admiration for plant life , scientific understanding of how to school plant , and responsibility for a safe and healthy rude environs .
What do Master Gardeners do ?
If you are wondering what Master Gardeners really do , our myriad activities cue me of an artist ’s pallet with many colors and chromaticity . At the present time , PMGs are engaged with more than15 dissimilar projectsin the community . Every project has an educational focal point , and all public outreach is design to integrate at least one of the following end :
Here ’s a spry look at our current projects and how they serve the community :
Appreciate in - depth information?If you ’re take this clause , you know aboutThe Garden Shed . It was conceived by Master Gardeners eager to deal the late horticultural enquiry with our gardening neighbour . Each clause is the ware of extensive research by a local Master Gardener . If you have n’t already done so , be sure to sign up online to get every issue . you could even search the archives of retiring take to find entropy apposite to your specific interests or business organization .
Have a interrogative about plants?Reach out to theHorticulture assist Deskwith questions about plant care , garden management , insect pests , plant diseases , or landscaping . electromyogram answer promptly to email and telephone requests . Prior to the pandemic , it was also potential to make an in - mortal visit to the Help Desk , and we hope that alternative will once again be available presently . You will also find a mobile Help Desk staffed with PMG unpaid worker at certain community of interests events , such as the Charlottesville City Market and the Albemarle County Fair . Stop by for a favorable conversation to grow your own knowledge.albemarlevcehelpdesk@gmail.com(434.872.4580 )
Want to connect and learn more?ThePMG Facebook pagehas a plane section called “ Ask a Master Gardener , ” where you may find quick answer to vulgar gardening dubiousness , as well as colorful photos for reference point . You might find that someone else has posed the same question you have .
Want a short course?Garden Basics classesare pop two - hour workshop that provide hardheaded information about seasonal gardening topics , such as how to prune bush or get start with composting . To participate , you should ratify up in advance on theUpcoming Eventspage online .
revel eve presentations?PMG’smonthly meetingsusually include a continuing education presentation by a bring down expert on horticulture - link topics . Prior to the pandemic , these enlightening talks were free and open to the public , but are now conducted virtually via Zoom . We trust that it wo n’t be long before these monthly meetings are again live and open to the populace .
Our very popularSpring Lecture Serieskicks off the gardening season with four eve presentations by well - acknowledge guest speakers . This spring , the lecture — some feature nationwide renowned expert — will be presented via Zoom . Visit the Events surgical incision of the PMG web site for prescribed announcements , but mark your calendar now . The practical lecturing are scheduled for March 4 , 11 , 18 and 25 .
Need a knowledgeable speaker unit for a group?Share your demand and enquire about a picky topic , so that thePMG Speakers Bureaucan match your request with someone from our team of PMG expert .
Are you an pedagogue with gardening ideas?School Garden Grants are available to K-12 teachers who would like fiscal backup for horticulture projects in local shoal . Visit the PMG website forgrant guideline and an program form .
What about working with minor ?
PMG volunteers leadafter - schoolhouse gardening programsat two local elementary schoolhouse , Clark and Jackson - Via , in partnership with City Schoolyard Garden / Cultivate Charlottesville . These after - schooltime Garden Clubs play weekly , and the minor bring alongside their Master Gardener mentor in planting vegetable seminal fluid and transplant , watering , weed , and caring for them until crop .
Like see the outcome of great gardening?The Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital is proud of to have an attractivedemonstration gardenfor patients and visitors to enjoy — and learn from — near the outdoor coliseum . you could see the garden ’s beginnings in the photo at justly ; the beautiful result of all that piece of work is seeable in the photo below . PMG Tennessean make regular visit for garden upkeep and maintenance .
Love tour beautiful gardens?From April to September Master Gardeners partner with local garden clubs to arrange for public enlistment of private gardens . unpaid worker serve as docents for “ Through the Garden Gate , ” clear up visitors with details about how these beautiful garden were create .
Like to learn at fairs and festivals?Look for our educational exhibits about environmental horticulture , including activities for small fry , at the Albemarle County Fair , Monticello ’s Heritage Harvest Festival , and other local events — once the pandemic subsides .
Want unexampled additions for your garden?Don’t miss our annualspring plant saleto get neat deals on healthy plants raise by Master Gardeners . Watch for announcements about the date and time each year . We hope it wo n’t have to be cancel in 2021 , as was necessary in 2020 , due to the pandemic .
Intrigued with historic plants?PMG’sMonticello Garden Ambassadorscomplement the services of Monticello ’s docent , sharing rich desktop about the ornamental architectural plan and veggie garden with visitors atThomas Jefferson ’s historical property .
Love natural surroundings?Quarry Gardens at Schuyleris a 40 - acre instinctive area and botanic garden of native plants nestle into six abandoned soapstone quarries , where PMG volunteers help with upkeep . They also run enlightening tours on nature trails for school grouping , clubs , and the populace from April to November . Check the web site toarrange for a visit .
Eager to help others during the pandemic?In partnership with the Bread and Roses Community Kitchen and Garden Group , several PMG volunteers train “ Gardens to Go ” for families who received supplemental food supplies in 2020 . Fabric develop sight with soil , seedlings , and seeds were deal to these family , so that children could view edible plants mature . The matured vegetables were intended as a source of dependable nutriment , as well as teach , for these family .
How do you become a Master Gardener ?
If you are passionate about gardening and conceive in the powerfulness of education , consider fall in our team . The initial step is to fill out anapplication . The first 25 qualified applicants will be assume for the next year ’s grooming class , which includes 55 hours of statement on topics such as , soil , water tone , entomology , plant pathology , landscape site analysis , and more .
trainee also fill in 50 Tennessean table service minute before being certified as Extension Master Gardeners . To keep certification stream , EMGs fill out at least 8 hours of continuing pedagogy and 20 hour of Tennessean service annually . For more details , visitthis web page .
Later , single electromyogram can expand upon their expertise with additional specialised breeding to become Advanced Extension Master Gardeners in the following areas : Tree Stewards , Landcare Stewards , Water Stewards , and Master Naturalists . In the Master Gardening cosmos , we embrace unending learnedness !
Mission and Strategic end
PMG ’s delegation is to plight local community through programs and resources that ( a ) support safe practices for inquiry - based gardening and ( b ) encourage environmental sustainability . In 2020 , we reflected on our attainment , consider current trends and community penury , and formulate a strategic plan to lead future efforts . Going forward , PMG activity will target support in these orbit :
The Piedmont Master Gardeners endeavour to be an exemplary organisation equipped with the appropriate skills and tools to accomplish our missionary work . If you have ideas or thoughts for how we can best dish out the public , we receive your feedback .
expect ahead , whenever it ’s possible for people to safely congregate again , we hope to see you at some of this year ’s Master Gardener events . And , to everyone read this article , we hope you will move on the suggestions in this brochure from our 30thanniversary solemnization to be asteward of the surround .
