This service consists of such things as answering gardening questions, conducting plant clinics, beautifying the community, and other activities designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and improve the quality of horticultural projects. In Florida, where the program began in 1979, there are now over 35 counties with active Master Gardeners. The Master Gardeners are a part of the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Florida. The Master Gardener Program is open to all people regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion or national origin. After receiving intensive horticultural training and satisfactorily meeting other program requirements, Master Gardeners are required to provide a number of hours in volunteer service and continued training.
Continued training is available at the state and county levels.