The program is designed so that it is a comprehensive program that children can participate in through high school. The design of the curriculum encompasses eight units of instruction including plant growth and development, soils and water, environmental and garden ecology, insects and diseases, vegetables and herbs, fruits and nuts, and career exploration. Included in each section of the JMG sm handbook are community service and leadership activities that relate to that unit of instruction. In addition, a Junior Master Gardener web page that provides exciting on-line activities related to the eight units and links to many other educational sites is under construction. The program is designed with the flexibility to be used by different groups beyond traditional Extension program, such as public schools, home schools, after-school programs or youth clubs.
Individual activities allow youth to extend their learning from the group site to the home.
Youth can participate in the JMG sm program in a variety of ways. Youth that complete required activities in each of the eight units of instruction will become certified Junior Master Gardeners. An additional way to participate in the JMG sm program is to complete a Golden Ray Series. The Golden Ray Series contains approximately eighteen to twenty activities and a community service project. The units are designed to be completed in a shorter duration of time and are especially applicable for classrooms with time constraints.