A New Class of Master Gardener Graduates, the Largest One!

Every other a year a new class graduates from WSU Clallam County Extension’s Master Gardener Program. This is a rigorous 12-week course for people who love learning about all things garden plus community service.

This year’s class was the largest class ever, almost twice the average size. Laurel Moulton, the program coordinator, shares that every class is excited, but this one seems extra enthusiastic. Per usual, the class pulls people from a variety of backgrounds including a wildlife biologist, a couple landscapers, a food bank employee, a photographer, and more. This year also stands out for being diverse in age, perhaps with increased online accessibility, it is reaching a younger audience.

A state-wide curriculum is used for this course and Laurel tailors it to meet our region’s flora and the interests of the students. This year she added forest entomology and pathology and also brought in a lecture from a native pollinator entomologist. Plus she added three classes on seed starting and a winter gardening class which provide hands-on elements and the opportunity to trouble shoot problems together. Sustainability is woven throughout the curriculum, and climate change is also being addressed as a topic this year.

The Master Gardeners Program is celebrating 50 years of contributing to communities with knowledge and resources, expertise and learning. Currently there are approximately 84,000 certified Master Gardeners in the US. Master Gardeners offer one-on-one plant/garden advice, create demonstration gardens, create community gardens and youth gardens, they offer educational lectures or presentations and have plant sales.

Graduates take the 12-week training, during which they do need to get passing scores on tests and exams. Laurel shares that they make it doable because the point of the program is really learning the material. Then the students become interns and give 100 hours of volunteer service in the community to complete certification.

The 100 hours of service tend to fall under three categories: the plant clinic, direct public education or work with the Master Gardener Foundation.

Direct public education happens at events or written in articles, with youth education, in working at the demonstration garden or community garden and other ways that support the program such as hosting events. Also volunteers can work to support the foundation like the garden tours or plant sales, grant writing, supporting education opportunities, one volunteer is currently applying for a grant to make an accessibility garden. There are many ways to complete those hours.

Here are the top three reasons why people join the Master Gardener Program:

1. They are looking for a way to volunteer in the community
2. They love gardening and just want to learn more
3. They are seeking community, possibly new to the area, and they love gardening. That adds up to them finding like-minded community through the program.

Volunteers are also instrumental in putting on trainings for new volunteers. Certified Master Gardeners are instructors, they manage the schedules. arrange the lectures, promote the events, there are also veteran volunteers who are mentors for the students.

The Master Gardener’s Plant Sale will be on Saturday, May 6th this year. Get there early as this is a very well attended event!

This years class will graduate on April 12th. Congrats to you all and we look forward to sharing how you contribute to our community. If becoming a Master Gardener interests you and you have any questions, please feel free to contact program coordinator laurel.moulton@wsu.edu.