Master Gardener Program

Garden Design Short Courses:
Oct 08 & 15, Nov 05 & 12, and Dec 03 2005- Lansing, MI

For anyone interested in developing or sharpening their own garden design skills. Participants may enroll in a class or two or participate in the entire five-course series. Each workshop is set up as an intense, day-long immersion course. Each course includes a detailed, comprehensive manual written by the instructor. Download course brochure and enrollment form.

Master Gardener Class
Monday eve., Feb 13 - May 01, 2006

The 2005/6 class will be held every Monday, February 13 - May 01 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Bellaire High School Media Center in Bellaire, MI. Click the following link for class and enrollment details.

Basic
Master Gardener

Basic Master Gardeners must successfully complete the Master Gardener Training Course and also provide 40 hours of volunteer work within the community during their MG calendar year (January 1st through December 31st). The MSU Extension office has many volunteer opportunities on file to accomplish this task.

Advanced
Master Gardener

To become and Advanced Master Gardener you must complete 50 additional volunteer hours and 25 additional hours of horticultural educational training. This can be accomplished within a two year time period.

Recertified
Master Gardener

To be recertified as a basic Master Gardener or an Advanced Master Gardener you merely have to complete 15 volunteer hours and 5 hours of horticultural educational training within the MG calendar year.

For More Information ...

For further information, contact the MSU Extension office at:
203 East Cayuga Street
P.O. Box 427
Bellaire, MI 49615-0427
Phone: 231-533-8818
Fax: 231-533-8392
Email: antrim@msue.msu.edu

Antrim County Master Gardener Program

Click here for: Master Gardener Volunteer Opportunities

What is a Master Gardener?

The Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). It provides home gardening information to Michigan citizens through a network of trained volunteers. An interest in plants, personal commitment to volunteerism and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites. Students will learn basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices. They then provide volunteer leadership and service to their community through a variety of gardening-related activities.

Program Objectives

To provide instruction in basic horticultural science to motivated, active gardeners.
To provide MSU Extension with trained volunteers who will provide timely, accurate information to the public in the rapidly expanding area of home horticulture.

Horticulture Education

The Master Gardener course provides an overview of major horticultural subjects in a classroom setting. Master Gardener trainees in Antrim County attend a series of 11 weeks and work from a 700-page Master Gardener notebook. Classes are usually held on Monday evenings from 6:30—9:30 pm.

Weekly quizzes will be given to monitor progress, and trainees must score 70 on the take-home final exam to become eligible for Master Gardener Certification, but don’t that deter you from taking the course. The intent is not for Master Gardeners to commit 700 pages to memory, but rather to develop a group of volunteers trained in horticulture. Their knowledge and skills will enable them to share gardening skills and information with Michigan citizens.

Volunteer Community Service

Students who complete 40 hours of volunteer community service after taking the basic Master education course receive Master Gardener Certification. There are several approved volunteer opportunities to participate in. The Antrim MSU Extension office will provide you with a list of volunteer opportunities