Wakulla County Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program

WHAT IS A FLORIDA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER?

A Master Gardener Volunteer …

• Is a volunteer who conveys research-based gardening information to residents of Wakulla County.
• Has an interest in any type of gardening, such as vegetables or ornamental plants.
• Wants to share gardening knowledge and skills within the community through extension programs.
• Is trained by UF/IFAS Extension professionals.
• Is willing to donate time to educational projects.
• Is a person who is simply open to learning how to be a Master Gardener Volunteer; but is only expected to have a general knowledge of gardening.

IS FLORIDA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER FOR YOU?

To help you decide if you should apply for Master Gardener Volunteer training, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I want to learn more about plant care and gardening?
• Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
• Am I eager to participate in a practical and intensive training program?
• Do I have enough time to attend the training and to complete my volunteer work?

If you answer “yes” to the above questions, the Master Gardener Volunteer program may be for you!

HOW ARE FLORIDA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS TRAINED?

Your training as a Master Gardener Volunteer will prepare you for your volunteer work under the direction of UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Director, Dr. Pat Williams.  This entire program will take 12 months.  You will become a volunteer for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) and will be providing services to the residents of Wakulla County and their home gardens.

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A FLORIDA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER?

• The primary benefit of becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer is the breadth, depth and quality of horticulture/gardening information you will gain. Your 78 hours of classroom and hands-on training will expose you to valuable information on fertilizer, garden pests, weather, herbicides, pesticides, organic vegetable gardening and
• Your classmates with whom you will be studying and working are like-minded people who share your love of caring for
• The knowledge you will gain will help you improve your own garden and try out ideas you learn in
• Helping others: your friends, neighbors and IFAS clients.  You will be working through the Extension office to provide research-based information about gardening, America’s most popular
• You will be presented information on volunteer opportunities with 4-H programs as well as gardening programs at schools and at the Extension
• As a Master Gardener Volunteer trainee, you will have access to Extension trainers, facilities and informational

HOW DO I BECOME A FLORIDA MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER?

Master Gardener Volunteer recruitment and selection takes place in the fall of the year. 

The course runs 13 weeks. We accept applications up to the first class TBD.

In order to be considered, please submit the following:

• A completed Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program Application
• A copy of your current drivers license or state ID card
• A completed Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Annual Agreement

UF/IFAS Extension staff and some current Master Gardener Volunteers will review each application.

All applicants will have a background screening according to University of Florida policy.