Roots
In 1972, an under-budgeted Seattle area agent needed help, answering homeowner gardening questions for two counties. He recruited 300 experienced gardeners, got horticulture professors to teach their specialties, and certified the recruits.
From those roots, the movement grew, nationwide, and beyond, always neighbor helping neighbor. The SFMGA began in 1998.
SFMGA is part of the Master Gardener program run by NMSU's County Extension Services.
Service
To help the County Agent help our community, SFMGA members serve in many ways.
- Continuing education is our training beyond the first 16 weeks: classes, lectures, and workshops.
- Hands on work is labor in our gardens: pruning, planting, fertilizing, weeding, "getting hands dirty."
- Public contact is answering questions for folks, such as, at an Ask a Master Gardener site, or on the Hotline.
- Organization support is help with the smooth running of SFMGA, such as planning, organizing, and working on events, socials, projects, classes, and workshops; attending meetings (including Board and committee); making calls, sending mail, or sending email; and working in the office or elsewhere as needed.
To remain certified, MGs volunteer 25 hours per year and pay $25 dues.
Training
To prepare for service, volunteers take a 16-week course. Each 3¼ hour session ends with a take-home test: grade 70 to pass. Students attend at least 14 sessions, but pass all 16 tests.
Interns have 14 months to volunteer at least 30 hours:
- 14 hours Hands on
- 12 hours Public contact
- 4 hours Organization support
Leaders
We elect Board members each year. Project and activity leaders may change from time to time, as needed. Members who serve in these roles are listed on a separate page.