Master Gardener Program
Erika Johnson, Program Coordinator
erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
(564) 397-5738
What Is A Master Gardener
Our Mission
Land Acknowledgement
What Master Gardeners Do
For MGs Only
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What Is A Master Gardener?
The WSU Extension Master Gardener program trains volunteers to be effective community educators in gardening and environmental stewardship. Master Gardeners provide information generated from research at WSU and other university systems.
Master Gardener volunteers teach local community members to:
- manage their gardens and landscapes in a science-based, sustainable manner;
- address environmental and social priorities such as water conservation and water quality protection;
- reduce the impact of invasive species; and,
- increase public awareness of healthy living through gardening.
Whatever the priority need may be, if it can be addressed through gardening, Master Gardener volunteers are there to serve as part of the solution.
The Master Gardener program is open to anyone 18 or older, with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.
Our Mission
Vision
Highly recognized, diverse and fully supported, WSU Master Gardener volunteers are the go-to resource for communities seeking research-based, innovative solutions for their ever-changing horticulture and environmental stewardship needs.
Mission
Engaging university-trained volunteers to empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship education.
Values
We value personal and professional research and discovery because it encourages us to stay current about horticulture and environmental stewardship to meet the unique educational needs of our communities.
We foster and benefit from an atmosphere of diversity and inclusivity because our differences inspire creative thinking and innovative solutions.
We act with integrity because trust, truthfulness and respect create a healthy and positive culture.
We are committed to stewardship and sustainability serving as ethical and responsible agents of our natural resources, human resources and University resources.
We collaborate because together we empower healthy and resilient communities.
We are a dynamic and responsive program where knowledge inspires change.
Land AcknowledgementAs Master Gardeners, we owe our gratitude to the Native peoples of this region and commit to honoring the land and its Native stewards. The WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program operates on the homelands of the peoples of the lower Columbia River, including the Chinookan peoples and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. For the disposition of Indigenous lands and violent acts, we extend our apologies. |
What Master Gardeners Do
Community Outreach
Master Gardeners provide educational outreach to the public at community events including the Clark County Fair, Home and Garden Idea Fair, local farmers markets, and other events and festivals. Events may have themes, including hands-on activities, or involve providing literature in response to garden and landscaping questions.
Workshop / Presentation Delivery
Master Gardeners develop and deliver talks to groups—private and public, large and small—on topics of their choosing, including vegetable gardening, beneficial bugs, fruit tree care, composting, and many more. Master Gardeners may already possess public speaking skills, or such skills may be developed through a training program each winter and spring.
Upcoming Workshops
More about Workshops / Presentation Delivery
Answer Clinic
Master Gardeners work in pairs answering in-person, phone and email inquiries from the public on a variety of garden and landscape concerns. Responding to over 900 client inquiries each year, volunteers use computer skills, plant-problem diagnosis, and being comfortable with not already knowing the answer as they investigate, ask questions, and educate the public on sustainable landscape care.
Answer Clinic Info (hours, location, specimen submission and soil testing information.)
More about serving in the Answer Clinic
Children’s Education
Master Gardeners deliver classroom lessons for area schools on topics such as: pollinators, worms, and seeds. Master Gardeners support in-garden activities in area school gardens, facilitating garden experiences for students. Master Gardeners participate as mentors with the 4-H Restorative Community Service program at the 78th Street Heritage Farm where they support youth in growing food for donation to the local food bank. Master Gardeners provide educational programming at Far to Fork at the 78th Street Heritage Farm where they lead hands-on activities on a variety of horticultural topics.
More About Children’s Education Programs
Resources for School Garden Coordinators
Newsletter
Master Gardeners write short educational articles, interviews and book reports, take photos, and edit The Garden News, a quarterly publication that goes out to over 1,000 subscribers.
Publicity
Master Gardeners write more lengthy articles on fascinating and important horticultural topics for publication by the local media.
On the Road Tours
Master Gardeners plan and lead van tours for the public to nurseries, gardens, and growing operations where attendees learn about different horticultural practices and techniques.
Greenhouse support/Plant Sale
Master Gardeners raise plants for our annual plant sale and for installation on the Welcome to Washington sign on I-5 North. These projects support the mission of raising funds to support the Master Gardener program and other horticultural education in Clark County.
Fort Vancouver Historic Garden
Master Gardeners propagate and provide care for plants in this historically accurate period garden located at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve.
More About the Fort Vancouver Gardens
NatureScaping of Southwest Washington
Master Gardeners provide maintenance and educational outreach at this natural demonstration garden.
More About NatureScaping & Our Partners
Visit NatureScaping’s Website
Pollinator Posse
Master Gardeners provide interactive pollinator education in interactive, small group settings. Participants learn about several common native pollinators what threatens them and how to support them.
Behind the Scenes Projects
Many Master Gardeners like to use their skills behind the scenes assisting with marketing, graphic design, website maintenance. They may also aid the program by developing tools and protocols for use in outreach and education.
Special Projects
Master Gardeners work on special projects. Inspiration can come from a variety of sources all aimed at educating the public.
Check out some of our special projects:
Human Sundial
The Bluebird Project
Heritage Trees
Our pages provide links to external sites for the convenience of users. WSU Extension does not manage these external sites, nor does Extension review, control, or take responsibility for the content of these sites. These external sites do not implicitly or explicitly represent official positions and policies of WSU Extension.
| WSU Clark County Master Gardener Program 1919 NE 78th Street • Vancouver, WA 98665 (564) 397-5738 |
