Washington State University's Master Gardeners have put their roots down all over Clark County. Theirs is a grass roots program in more ways than one. Master Gardeners certainly can tell you how to grow a healthy lawn, but that's just the beginning of their expertise and they have roots everywhere. More than 300 strong, they staff telephones to answer gardeners questions, they work at the Clark County Fair, in Clark County schools and maintain a demonstration garden at Ft. Charles Brun, Clark County's WSU Cooperative Extension educator, explains that not everyone can become a Master Gardener, but everyone is welcome to try.
Membership requires a strong commitment to gardening and to volunteer service.
Here's what it takes to become one. Then, over a two-year period you have to contribute at least 90 hours of volunteer service as a Master Gardener trainee. Then, you can be certified as a Master Gardener. If you want to keep your certification, you must receive 25 hours of additional education each year and contribute 25 hours of volunteer labor in return. Despite these demands, extension often has to turn away applicants because it can only train 60 each year.