Master Gardener Program

What is a Master Gardener?

Master Gardener is a title granted by the University of Florida to individuals who complete their Master Gardener training and their volunteer hours. These are individuals who are interested in:

• Horticulture
• Educating and helping others
• Making civic contributions through volunteer work

What Does A Master Gardener Do?

Master Gardeners make an important contribution to the community by volunteering their time and learned expertise to assisting the County Extension Agents in several important ways.

1. At the Extension office, Master Gardeners help answer homeowner questions about:
   Flower& vegetable gardening
   Tree & Lawn care
   Plant selection
   Weed, insect & disease identification
   Landscape design
   Pest Control
   Pesticide & fertilizer use
   Composting, recycling & mulching
2. Advanced Master Gardeners assist the County Agents with:
   Helping to start demonstration & community gardens
   Horticultural presentations & demonstrations
   Setting up plant clinics
   Exploring environmentally friendly gardening practices
   Staffing information booths at community events & plant shows
   Teaching horticulture to beginner gardeners

How Do I Become A Master Gardener?

By attending the Master Gardener training program and completing an internship. Both are done at the Broward County Extension Education Division office in Davie, Florida.

Master Gardner Class Residency Requirement

You must be a Broward County resident with a valid Florida Driver's License that has an address located in Broward County, or bring in proof of property ownership within Broward County.

How Is A Master Gardener Trained?

Through the Master Gardener training program, participants receive more than 80 hours of classroom and field training from University of Florida professors, horticulture professionals, gardening specialists and County Agents. The program is offered twice a year by the Broward County Extension Education Division.

Master Gardeners learn about:

• Flower & Vegetable Gardening
• Annuals & Orchids
• Fruit Tree Types & Care
• Ornamental Tree & Shrub Care
• Palm Tree Types & Care
• Lawn Maintenance & Care
• Weed, Insect & Disease Identification
• Pesticide & Fertilizer Use
• Landscape Design & Pant Selection
• Composting, Recycling & Mulching
• Basic Plant Botany & Soil Types
• And much, much more

How do I apply and what does it cost?

Master Gardeners pay for their specialized training by volunteering a given number of hours of their time and expertise to the Broward County Extension Education Office. In addition to your volunteer contribution, there is a fee to enroll in the course($200), which covers the cost of educational materials and a security deposit of $150 that will be returned once volunteer hours are completed.

To Apply: Request an appointment for an interview by e-mailing or phoning Brenda Roby at 954-382-5884. Please bring a photo ID to the interview. If you need further information, please e-mail and request information on the next master Gardener class .

Next Class Information

The purpose of Master Gardener Training is to become a certified Florida Master Gardener and serve UF-IFAS/Broward County Extension Education, Parks and Recreation Division, as a volunteer. Volunteering with Broward County is subject to satisfactory completion of a background check including verification of education, previous employment, criminal records and driving records check as recorded in the personnel or other records of any previous employer, law enforcement organization, state agencies or any school that you have attended. Further, there is an agreement to release Broward County from any liability whatsoever in connection with such background check verification or use of the results in the volunteer screening process. The class will meet every Wednesday, between Sept. 9 to Dec. 16 (except the week of 11/9/09 and the week of Thanksgiving) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Interviews for 2009 will be the following dates and times:

• Aug. 11: 8:30 a.m. to Noon
• Aug. 12: 8:30 a.m. to Noon; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Aug. 14: 8:30 a.m. to Noon; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Aug. 17: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
• Aug. 20: 8:30 a.m. to Noon; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Aug. 21: 8:30 a.m. to Noon; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Aug. 24: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

These Interviews are to meet with you, fill out an application, and collect background information for processing with the county. Appointments need to be made for the interview dates. Bring a valid Florida Drivers’ License to the interview.  Allow yourself at least 30 minutes to complete necessary paperwork before the interview.

If accepted, payment is the course fee of $200 and a good faith deposit of $150 by VISA, MasterCard, Money Order or Cashier’s Check. The good faith deposit will be returned if you serve your 75 approved volunteer hours (a minimum of 40 on public inquiries at the Extension Office) within the first calendar year after successful completion of the course.

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to meeting you at the interview.

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