It's a prestigious designation given only to those who successfully train in various aspects of plant science and complete an internship of 50 hours of volunteer work as part of the URI Master Gardener program of the Cooperative Extension Education Center. The Rhode Island program began in 1977. These Master Gardeners have donated more than 101,000 hours of time to Cooperative Extension. You'll learn about soil and plant nutrition, plant physiology, pests and diseases, turf management, pruning, plant propagation, composting, pesticide safety, and fruit and vegetable production. The training is offered each January through April for 16 weeks.
Classes meet one night a week for two and a half hours.
Tuition costs include an extensive Master Gardener Training Manual. Attendance at 12 or more classes qualifies you as a Master Gardener intern. Upon completion of your volunteer commitment and a passing grade on a final exam you are then graduated and certified as a URI Master Gardener. Master Gardeners speak to local groups and conduct workshops. They may help establish community garden plots or work in several demonstration gardens.