Becoming a Master Gardener

By LMG Calla Victoria

     If you are an avid gardener and love playing in the dirt, you might be ready to take the next step in your gardening journey. Perhaps you are ready to become a Master Gardener like myself.  Almost every state has a Master Gardening program through its state’s extension service.  In Louisiana, the Louisiana Master Gardening program is sponsored by the LSU Ag Center, and directed by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers with horticultural expertise to aid home gardeners with their gardening needs. The Master Gardeners are a volunteer army, equipped with shovels and trowels, ready and willing to tackle the area's gardening needs. You will find Master Gardeners heading up many of the community and victory garden programs around the city like LMG (Louisiana Master Gardener) Lydia Pollard with the Arc Project uptown, LMG Melissa Luer with The Victory Garden Project at the National World War II Museum, LMG Amber Dawn with the Kids Farm at the Hollygrove Market, and LMG Eileen Hollander with the Louisiana Super Plants Display Garden as well as the Iris Walk at the Sydney and Walda Bestoff Sculpture Garden in City Park. 

     The Louisiana Master Gardener program provides invaluable training and educational opportunities. The program is open to all people regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. The Master Gardening program is an all-volunteer program sanctioned by land-grant institutions in each state and functions as an extension of the college or university. So if you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener know that you will be obligated to 40 hours of volunteer service during your first year, 20 hours a year of volunteer service as well as 6 hours of continuing education thereafter for your yearly re-certification. 

     There are many perks associated with becoming a Master Gardener aside from the advanced training and knowledge of horticulture. There is also the satisfaction of helping others, working with a great group of people, and visiting some amazing gardens. Master Gardeners are called on to lead Secret Garden tours and are invited on garden tour field trips. Most garden centers provide discounts for Master Gardeners, and there are always lots of free plants and cuttings that Master Gardeners are eager to share.

Remember, never get too busy to stop and enjoy the beautiful flowers!