Who We Are

The History of the Master Gardener Program

The original Master Gardener program started in 1972 in Washington state. The Washington State University Cooperative Extension was inundated with horticulture request from home gardeners. A group of volunteers were trained to help, thus the start of the Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program.

In 1980 Sacramento and Riverside Counties started the first programs in California. The Master Gardener Program is administered by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and is part of the University of California, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR).

The UC Master Gardener Program has been conducted in Humboldt County since 1988. Since then over 1,000 people have taken this horticulture training in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.

Our Mission and Program Impacts

"To extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California."

The Master Gardener volunteers organize to extend educational services to their communities. The four important areas are: Healthier Plants, Healthier Environment, Healthier Gardeners and Healthier Community.

Why Become Master Gardeners

Many want to learn and become more knowledgeable and skilled gardeners. Many like to share their knowledge with others in their community. Master Gardeners form friendships with likeminded peope within our program. Many Master Gardeners want to teach people to be better gardeners.

What Master Gardeners Do

Master Gardener volunteers provide a valuable service to the public by sharing sustainable gardening information with their communities through a variety of education and outreach programs.

Master Gardeners provide classes on science based research material on: Soil and Fertilization Management, Water Management in the Home Garden and Landscape, Weed Management, Edible Gardening, Fruit Tree Culture, Turfgrass Management, Ornamental Plant Culture, and Plant Problem Diagnosis, just to name a few subjects.

"Ask a Master Gardener" help desk - Humboldt and Del Norte counties will help residents in the respective counties with home horticulture and pest management questions.

Master Gardener Training

Master Gardeners go through intensive training in a varied range of horticultural subjects: General Botany and Plant Physiology, Soil and Fertilization Management, Water Management in the Home Garden and Landscape, Controlling Garden Pests Safely, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Management, Vertebrate Pests, Vegetable Culture, Fruit Tree Culture, Turfgrass Management, Ornamental Plant Culture, and Plant Problem Diagnosis.

Master Gardener Volunteer Commitment

Master Gardeners commit to 50 hours of volunteer time the first year. Every year after, the commitment is 25 hours of volunteer time and 12 hours of continued education.

Upcoming Training

If you are interested in training, be sure to check out the training section of this website.

If you are wanting information on training in other counties, check out the UC Master Gardener Program Website.