Master Gardener Application
Introduction

What is a Master Gardener?

Master Gardeners are members of a “volunteer corps” that supports the programming efforts of the Pennsylvania State University Outreach Center in Philadelphia. The mission of the Master Gardener Program is “to support the Penn State Cooperative Extension by utilizing research-based information to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship.”

Master Gardeners are people with a demonstrated interest in community volunteerism and willingness to educate audiences about horticultural and environmental stewardship practices. Master Gardeners volunteer at least 20 hours every year to teaching, demonstrating and consulting on a wide variety of topics for a diverse range of partner-clients.

Many Master Gardeners enter the program with some gardening and volunteerism in their background but anyone is welcome to apply for acceptance to the program. Penn State provides 14 weeks of training to all Master Gardener trainees to give all future Master Gardeners the education they need to support PSU sponsored projects in our neighborhoods.

Master Gardener Application

Dear Interested Volunteer:

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Philadelphia County Master Gardener Volunteer.  Please read the “What is a Master Gardener?” section to familiarize yourself with the general description of the program and the type of applicant we select for program admittance. Master Gardeners promote horticultural and environmental stewardship activities in the following ways:

*  We assist Penn State Outreach Center in Philadelphia by teaching adult and youth audiences horticultural activities and environmental practices.

*  We complete 20 to 50 volunteer hours each year, with emphasis on educational experiences to promote PSU Outreach in our communities.

*   We participate in 8 hours of professional development training every year to enhance our knowledge and connect with other professionals.

* We mentor Master Gardener trainees, who must successfully complete fourteen week college level horticulture curriculum, to prepare applicants for educating others about gardening and environmental topics.

We hope you will consider applying to become a Master Gardener. The 2009 training begins on August 19th and is held at the Twentieth Century Club located at 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue in Lansdowne, PA 19050. The weekly course is held on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. The course fee is $175 including a $50 refundable deposit, available at graduation. Applications for the Master Gardener program are being accepted on a continuous process until July 15, 2009.

Sincerely,

Kim Labno
Master Gardener Coordinator
PSU-Philadelphia Outreach Center

Master Gardener Application

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

Electronic  Mail: ______________________________________________

Telephone: (home)____________________________________________________

 (cell)_____________________________________________________

How many volunteer hours can you afford to contribute to the group’s activities on an average monthly basis? 

_____________________________________________

Have you ever applied to a Master Gardener Program before? ______________

If so, where and when? _______________________________________________________________

 Please list past or current volunteer experience, including the name of the organization and time involved.

______________________________________________________________________________

List past or current education and teaching experience, including the name of the organization and time involved.

______________________________________________________________________________

List additional training or other specialization (e.g. rose cultivation, self-employed business owner, greenhouse and/or nursery experience) _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

List gardening and non-gardening organizations that you are part of

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Anything else we should know about you but did not ask?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

How did you hear about the Master Gardeners? __________________________

Please return you application as a word document or pdf to: phillymgcoordinator@gmail.com
OR fax to 215 471-2231
OR send to postal mail at PSU Outreach, 3rd Floor North, 111 N. 49th St., Suite KN3-100, Phila., PA 19139