Our Mission -   The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Program provides knowledge to and develops the leadership abilities of volunteers who, in turn, enable others to improve the quality of their lives by enhancing their home and community environments through horticultural education and activities.

Mission:
The Master Gardeners Association of CLARK COUNTY provides horticultural leadership and education through programs and activities within the community, while striving to develop, improve and preserve the quality of our natural environment.

Vision:
THE MASTER GARDENERS OF CLARK COUNTY strive to be a leader of horticultural education and to be recognized as a model among Master Gardener programs.

Values:
As Master Gardeners of Clark County volunteers we value the world we live in, and seek to preserve and improve the beauty and safety of our environment through horticultural related education without discrimination. We believe in:

To provide sound educational programs to develop Master Gardener volunteers, and to increase the horticultural knowledge and skills of the public without regard to diversities of age, gender, or other personal status.

To provide accurate, current, research-based, and understandable horticultural information and guidance.

COOPERATION:

To foster cooperation and camaraderie within the Clark County Master Gardener Association, and with other Master Gardener volunteers at all levels.

To enrich the community by sharing our love of gardening through fellowship with other gardeners of all ages.

LEADERSHIP:

To cultivate the leadership skills of volunteers in preparation for leadership roles at local, state and national levels.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY:

To develop funding alternatives to achieve a self-sufficient Master Gardener Association and program.

To provide services in support of the above with integrity, reliability and promptness.

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What is the Master Gardener Program?

The OSU Extension Master Gardener Program is a premier statewide network of volunteer education and leadership development; as well as a consumer horticulture education delivery system that maximizes human, material, and natural resources, and values teamwork and excellence in educational programming.

The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Program has rapidly expanded. In 1991, there were less than 10 Ohio counties with Master Gardener Program.  In 2009, 70 counties are involved with the Master Gardener program.

There are many exciting opportunities for continuing education and camaraderie and this has helped OSU Extension to develop a corps of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers are an important component of the OSU Extension system. The Master Gardeners' knowledge, experience and enthusiasm have become essential to Extension education of consumer horticulture in the state of Ohio.

The formal training program is the responsibility of the Clark County Extension professionals. Instructors are Ohio State University faculty, Extension Specialists, Extension Associates, experienced Master Gardeners, and other experts. 

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Training

The training program provides a balanced, integrated practical course in plant science. Core topics that are to be part of the training in every county are oriented to Extension and the Master Gardener Program:

     Basic Botany                                                   Soils & Soil Fertility                  
     Basic Plant Pathology                                     Propagation  
     Basic Entomology                                           Pesticide Use & Safety             
     Annuals, Perennials & Bulbs                           Trees & Shrubs                        
     Vegetable & Fruit Production                          Home Lawn Care                     

     Integrated Pest & Management (IPM)            Herbs

 

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Volunteer Commitment

The Master Gardener training course consists of a minimum of 50 hours of instruction. An equivalent number (50) of horticulturally significant volunteer hours is required to become a certified Master Gardener. Master Gardeners may recertify by completing 25 additional hours of public service and 6 hours of advanced educational training.  Only unpaid public service in Ohio State University Extension-sponsored activities count toward the requirement.