Become a Master Gardener Volunteer with The University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
The Summer classes will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from July 13 - November 2, 2010, at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County office, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040. Click to map it! Applications are due May 31, 2010.
This site contains information on the Master Gardener Program in Maricopa County, Arizona. For information on Master Gardening programs in other Arizona counties or in other states contact the local Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent.
What is a Maricopa County Master Gardener?
The mission of the Maricopa County Master Gardener program is to teach people to select, place and care for plants in an environmentally responsible manner based on research specific to the low desert.
A Maricopa County Master Gardener is an individual who completes a University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County specialized course in gardening in the low desert. This person
then provides educational leadership to the community in home gardening and landscaping. Maricopa County Master Gardeners help Extension in fulfilling our educational outreach mission by:
- staffing plant question phone lines
- giving talks to local groups
- introducing children to gardening
- presenting information at garden and trade shows
- organizing educational programs and conferences
- creating and maintaining demonstration gardens which showcase new
plants, new planting methods, composting, new irrigation methods, etc.
Return to the Top
Why Become a Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer?
As a Master Gardener you can help to educate and advise home gardeners in
your community. Many newcomers and inexperienced gardeners in the Valley
are in great need of gardening and landscaping advice. Our informative training
will give you the skills needed to diagnose plant problems and give you
the confidence to share your expertise with others. You will have the opportunity
to work with school children, teachers, seniors, community gardeners and
homeowners. You can develop public speaking skills or learn to use computers
and other technologies.
Being a Master Gardener volunteer is fun, interesting and rewarding.
Return to the Top
The Maricopa County Master Gardener Program
The Master Gardener program and training is conducted by the University
of Arizona Cooperative Extension through the Maricopa County office. The
training provides gardeners with the opportunity to improve their horticultural
knowledge and skills and then share their experience with the public through
organized volunteer activities.
Return to the Top
Maricopa County Master Gardener Training
Classes are taught by University of Arizona Extension Faculty, professionals and
other horticulture experts. The program covers the challenges specific to
gardening in the low desert. A sample of topics covered include:
- Botany
- Plant Problem Diagnosis
- Soils
- Ornamentals
- Pest Management
- Fruits
- Vegetables and Herbs
- Plant Propagation
- Turf
- Desert-Adapted Landscape Plants
- Cacti and Succulents
- Composting
- Landscape Design
Training sessions are scheduled in different locations of the Valley on a rotational basis.
Classes meet once a week for a three-hour session for 17 consecutive weeks.
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such
as sign language interpreter, by contacting Kristen Wagner, (602) 827-8200
x311. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange
the accommodation.
Return to the Top
Cost
The cost is $275.00, which includes the publication notebook, training manual, books, insignia polo shirt
and all handouts.
Return to the Top
Benefits of Being a Master Gardener
Help to Educate Your Community
- Help gardeners solve their plant problems
- Promote environmental responsibility through water conservation and
least-toxic pest control
- Beautify the Valley by teaching about appropriate plants for our climate
- Work with school and community gardens
Education For You
- Monthly Education Programs
- Monthly Master Gardener Newsletter
- Bi-monthly Horticulture Journal
- Advanced Training on Special Topics
- Annual Horticulture Tour
- Annual Conference
Fun and Friendship
- Work with some of the most talented and interesting gardeners in the
Valley
- Participate in team projects
Recognition
- Win local, state, national and international awards
- Take on leadership roles
Return to the Top
Commitment
To become a certified Master Gardener participants must complete the initial
training class and donate 50 hours of volunteer service. There are a wide
variety of service opportunities available ranging from answering gardening
questions from the public, to planning public events, to working with
school gardens. To remain in the program after the first year a donation
of 25 hours of service and 12 hours of continuing education are required.
Return to the Top
Who Can Apply?
Anyone with an interest in horticulture and volunteering can apply for the Master Gardener
program. If you have an interest in improving your skills and knowledge
and the desire to work with people, the Master Gardener program may be
for you. There are frequently more applicants for the program than slots
available. Selection is based on history of volunteer service and level
of specific skills and knowledge of value to the program.
Return to the Top
How To Apply
All interested individuals are encouraged to apply. Please download the application for the class!
A tuition fee of $275.00, payable to the University of Arizona, must be remitted with your application. If you are requesting
financial assistance, please check the appropriate box on the application.
Download Application
Complete the application, including the Memorandum of Understanding and the background consent form. The application is a fillable PDF file in which you can type your information, but you may not be unable to save it to your computer, depending on the PDF application you are utilizing. After it is completed, print, sign, and mail all forms in with a check for $275.00 to:
Maricopa County Master Gardener Program
Attn: Kristen Wagner
4341 E. Broadway Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807
For answers to questions and more information, contact:
Kristen R. Wagner
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
(602) 827-8200 x311
or
Debbie Mauldin
(602) 827-8200 x308
Return to the Top
Upcoming Master Gardener Training Classes
July 13 - November 2, 2010 (Tuesdays)
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
Phoenix, AZ 85040
To Home Horticulture in Maricopa County, AZ
Maricopa County Master Gardener Program Overview

Last Updated January 8, 2010
The University of Arizona, College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative
Extension in Maricopa
County
If you have difficulty accessing any portions of this page with adaptive technology, please contact Kristen Wagner at 602-827-8200 x311 or krwagner@cals.arizona.edu.
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu
Voice: (602) 827-8200 ext. 311, Fax (602) 827-8292
http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/mgs/mg-broch.htm
- The Summer classes will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from July 13 - November 2, 2010, at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County office, 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040. Click to map it! Applications are due May 31, 2010.
- This site contains information on the Master Gardener Program in Maricopa County, Arizona. For information on Master Gardening programs in other Arizona counties or in other states contact the local Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent.
What is a Maricopa County Master Gardener?
-
The mission of the Maricopa County Master Gardener program is to teach people to select, place and care for plants in an environmentally responsible manner based on research specific to the low desert.
- staffing plant question phone lines
- giving talks to local groups
- introducing children to gardening
- presenting information at garden and trade shows
- organizing educational programs and conferences
- creating and maintaining demonstration gardens which showcase new
plants, new planting methods, composting, new irrigation methods, etc.
A Maricopa County Master Gardener is an individual who completes a University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County specialized course in gardening in the low desert. This person then provides educational leadership to the community in home gardening and landscaping. Maricopa County Master Gardeners help Extension in fulfilling our educational outreach mission by:
Why Become a Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer?
- As a Master Gardener you can help to educate and advise home gardeners in
your community. Many newcomers and inexperienced gardeners in the Valley
are in great need of gardening and landscaping advice. Our informative training
will give you the skills needed to diagnose plant problems and give you
the confidence to share your expertise with others. You will have the opportunity
to work with school children, teachers, seniors, community gardeners and
homeowners. You can develop public speaking skills or learn to use computers
and other technologies.
Being a Master Gardener volunteer is fun, interesting and rewarding.
The Maricopa County Master Gardener Program
-
The Master Gardener program and training is conducted by the University
of Arizona Cooperative Extension through the Maricopa County office. The
training provides gardeners with the opportunity to improve their horticultural
knowledge and skills and then share their experience with the public through
organized volunteer activities.
Maricopa County Master Gardener Training
- Classes are taught by University of Arizona Extension Faculty, professionals and
other horticulture experts. The program covers the challenges specific to
gardening in the low desert. A sample of topics covered include:
- Botany
- Plant Problem Diagnosis
- Soils
- Ornamentals
- Pest Management
- Fruits
- Vegetables and Herbs
- Plant Propagation
- Turf
- Desert-Adapted Landscape Plants
- Cacti and Succulents
- Composting
- Landscape Design
Training sessions are scheduled in different locations of the Valley on a rotational basis. Classes meet once a week for a three-hour session for 17 consecutive weeks.
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as sign language interpreter, by contacting Kristen Wagner, (602) 827-8200 x311. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Cost
-
The cost is $275.00, which includes the publication notebook, training manual, books, insignia polo shirt
and all handouts.
Benefits of Being a Master Gardener
-
Help to Educate Your Community
- Help gardeners solve their plant problems
- Promote environmental responsibility through water conservation and least-toxic pest control
- Beautify the Valley by teaching about appropriate plants for our climate
- Work with school and community gardens
- Monthly Education Programs
- Monthly Master Gardener Newsletter
- Bi-monthly Horticulture Journal
- Advanced Training on Special Topics
- Annual Horticulture Tour
- Annual Conference
- Work with some of the most talented and interesting gardeners in the Valley
- Participate in team projects
- Win local, state, national and international awards
- Take on leadership roles
Education For You
Fun and Friendship
Recognition
Commitment
-
To become a certified Master Gardener participants must complete the initial
training class and donate 50 hours of volunteer service. There are a wide
variety of service opportunities available ranging from answering gardening
questions from the public, to planning public events, to working with
school gardens. To remain in the program after the first year a donation
of 25 hours of service and 12 hours of continuing education are required.
Who Can Apply?
-
Anyone with an interest in horticulture and volunteering can apply for the Master Gardener
program. If you have an interest in improving your skills and knowledge
and the desire to work with people, the Master Gardener program may be
for you. There are frequently more applicants for the program than slots
available. Selection is based on history of volunteer service and level
of specific skills and knowledge of value to the program.
How To Apply
-
All interested individuals are encouraged to apply. Please download the application for the class!
A tuition fee of $275.00, payable to the University of Arizona, must be remitted with your application. If you are requesting
financial assistance, please check the appropriate box on the application.
Download Application
- Complete the application, including the Memorandum of Understanding and the background consent form. The application is a fillable PDF file in which you can type your information, but you may not be unable to save it to your computer, depending on the PDF application you are utilizing. After it is completed, print, sign, and mail all forms in with a check for $275.00 to:
Maricopa County Master Gardener Program
Attn: Kristen Wagner
4341 E. Broadway Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807
For answers to questions and more information, contact:
Kristen R. Wagner
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
(602) 827-8200 x311
or
Debbie Mauldin
(602) 827-8200 x308
Upcoming Master Gardener Training Classes
July 13 - November 2, 2010 (Tuesdays)
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
Phoenix, AZ 85040
To Home Horticulture in Maricopa County, AZMaricopa County Master Gardener Program Overview
Last Updated January 8, 2010
The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County
If you have difficulty accessing any portions of this page with adaptive technology, please contact Kristen Wagner at 602-827-8200 x311 or krwagner@cals.arizona.edu.
Comments to Maricopa-hort@ag.arizona.edu Voice: (602) 827-8200 ext. 311, Fax (602) 827-8292
http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/mgs/mg-broch.htm