Master Gardeners share the commitment of the green industry and Cooperative Extension to promote gardening success while maintaining a healthy Colorado environment. They are individuals driven by a desire to serve their communities and improve their own understanding of the world around them. 1,000 Master Gardener volunteers serve 118,000 Coloradans in 14 counties annually. Coloradans' gardening questions are answered by telephone, at farmers' markets, clinics, fairs, and through gardening classes, in schools, and on extension web sites, and in many state newspapers. Margaret Sharp, Editor, Lawn and Garden, The Denver Post Trained by Cooperative Extension Specialist and Agents Master Gardener volunteers receive training from extension specialist and county horticulture agents to meet the information demand of a growing and increasingly sophisticated Colorado gardening public.
Volunteers receive more than forty hours of formal classroom instruction in exchange for service.
Topics include plant growth and development, soils and fertilizers, insect and disease management, lawn care, tree care, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The training doesn't stop upon leaving the classroom. They receive Cooperative Extension publications for reference. Cooperative Extension sponsored tours, classes, and lab work provide Master Gardener volunteers continual learning opportunities. The program really rounded out my plant knowledge.