The application window has closed for this class.

NEW TRAINING CLASS
January 31-April 3, 2012

This Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer program, open to all Franklin County residents, is for amateur gardeners who want to be community volunteers: providing research-based gardening education and community outreach, and being actively involved in ongoing horticultural research.

Trainees in the program receive a minimum of 50 hours of education in horticultural topics including: botany, plant nomenclature, soils and fertilizer, plant pathology, entomology, integrated pest management, pesticide safety, growing vegetables and fruits, woody and herbaceous ornamentals, home lawn management, and plant diagnostics. 

In addition to the training there are 50 required internship/volunteer approved service hours that must be completed by the end of 2012 to become a certified Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer.

Class schedule

The 2012 Master Gardener training class will begin on January 31st with mandatory classes held on Tuesdays 8:30AM-4:30PM, for 10 weeks. Passage of a final exam on April 3rd is required as part of the program. Training classes will be held at Waterman Farm, at the NW corner of Lane Avenue and Kenny Road.

Selection process

There is a selection process prior to admission into the Master Gardener program that includes:

• mandatory attendance at one informational session,
• completion of a written application, and
• an interview process.

As part of the selection process, two one hour informational meetings will be held at the

Information about the Franklin County Master Gardener Program and the application and training process will be presented at these meetings. All interested applicants must attend one of these sessions. Training program applications will only be available at these informational meetings.

Program Cost

Cost of participation in the 2012 class is $250. A background check is also required and is done by the OSU police department. The cost is an additional $27 for those who have been Ohio residents for 5 consecutive years, and $51 for individuals who have not been Ohio residents for 5 consecutive years.

Annual recertification

After successful completion of the Master Gardener Training Program Master Gardeners remain certified from year to year by:

• obtaining a minimum of six (6) approved continuing education hours,
• donating a minimum of 25 approved community service hours, an
• paying a nominal annual participation fee that helps cover the cost of maintaining this program.

Thank you for your interest. We hope to see you at one of the informational sessions in October.

Please email any questions to: fcmastergardeners@gmail.com

• 2012 Class Application Process and Background Check
  
• MGV Position Description (Sept 2011)
  
• MGV Policies (Sept 2011)
  
• MGV Sample Application Form (PDF)
• Ohio Master Gardener Website
• 2012 Class Announcement 1 page handout
• Word (doc) format
• PDF format