Canyon County Master Gardeners
The University of Idaho Extension’s Idaho Master Gardener Program provides gardeners with the opportunity to increase their horticultural knowledge and skills and serve their communities. “Helping people grow” is the motto of the program, which is designed to help Extension meet the gardening information needs of communities.
To apply for the Master Gardener program you should meet a few minimal requirements:
Idaho Master Gardener classes and labs will be taught by University of Idaho extension educators and specialists and by other local horticulture experts. Field trips, readings from the Idaho Master Gardener Handbook and individual projects will fill out your instructional program. Some of our educational materials are also available in Spanish. While we don't require you to have a lot of gardening experience to join the program, those with some experience may have an easier time.
Once you’ve finished your classroom training, passed your exam and completed your volunteer hours you’ll be certified as an Idaho Master Gardener! And, you’ll be enriched by up to date basic gardening knowledge, pest identification abilities, leadership training and service skills. Many Idaho Master Gardeners choose to extend their certification into future years through advanced training and a commitment of additional volunteer hours. To remain current on certification, volunteers must attend at least 8 hours of education and contribute 8 hours of service annually.
Not ready for this level of training or volunteer commitment yet? We understand, and that's why we offer several other options for you to increase your horticultural knowledge and solve your garden issues. Maybe one of our other great gardening programs would be a good fit for you!
Canyon County Master Gardener Program
The next Master Gardener class begins in January 2014. To receive an application, contact the Canyon County Extension office (501 Main St., Caldwell) at 208-459-6003 or by email canyon@uidaho.edu.
Working in the Green Industry and want to sharpen your skills? A limited number of seats are available each year for Professional Audit. Contact Ariel Agenbroad at ariel@uidaho.edu to learn more about this option.
Idaho Master Gardener Responsibilities
Volunteers agree to give at least 30 volunteer hours sharing with others knowledge they have learned in a variety of ways, some of their own choosing, others at the Extension Office or Farmers' Markets.
Master Gardeners receive 50+ hours of training in:
Resources
Forms for Current Master Gardeners
Advanced Master Gardener Leadership Development Program
Canyon County Advanced Master Gardeners must complete 12 hours of education, 18 hours of volunteer service and take teaching and leadership roles in community projects. Applicants must be certified as a Master Gardener in Idaho. Download our Advanced Master Gardener program requirements.
Junior Master Gardeners
Junior Master Gardener (JMG) is an international youth gardening program. First brought to the Treasure Valley by retired Extension Educator Kevin Laughlin, the program has been embraced by hundreds of people who work with children in our region of the state. JMG curricula aims to grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education. JMG curricula is even linked with state teaching standards (grades 3-5 and 6-8). Visit the national Junior Master Gardener website.
The success of a JMG program relies upon the skills, passion and enthusiasm that the JMG Teacher/Leader has for working with kids and gardening. We are offering this training to prepare and assist teachers/leaders to successfully involve youth in this novel program.
Who can be a JMG Teacher/Leader? Parents, grandparents, guardians, 4-H leaders, teachers, childcare providers, home school teachers, youth leaders, camp counselors…you get the idea…anyone who wants to share the wonders of science and nature with youth. CEU credits are available.
Our JMG New Teacher/Leader Trainings are offered occasionally. To get on a mailing list for future trainings, email Ariel Agenbroad at ariel@uidaho.edu.
To apply for the Master Gardener program you should meet a few minimal requirements:
- Have an interest, and some knowledge, in basic gardening, horticulture and plant-related topics.
- Can communicate effectively with the public.
- Are willing and able to commit to a minimum of 50 hours of class and a minimum of 30 hours of service.
Idaho Master Gardener classes and labs will be taught by University of Idaho extension educators and specialists and by other local horticulture experts. Field trips, readings from the Idaho Master Gardener Handbook and individual projects will fill out your instructional program. Some of our educational materials are also available in Spanish. While we don't require you to have a lot of gardening experience to join the program, those with some experience may have an easier time.
Once you’ve finished your classroom training, passed your exam and completed your volunteer hours you’ll be certified as an Idaho Master Gardener! And, you’ll be enriched by up to date basic gardening knowledge, pest identification abilities, leadership training and service skills. Many Idaho Master Gardeners choose to extend their certification into future years through advanced training and a commitment of additional volunteer hours. To remain current on certification, volunteers must attend at least 8 hours of education and contribute 8 hours of service annually.
Not ready for this level of training or volunteer commitment yet? We understand, and that's why we offer several other options for you to increase your horticultural knowledge and solve your garden issues. Maybe one of our other great gardening programs would be a good fit for you!
Canyon County Master Gardener Program
The next Master Gardener class begins in January 2014. To receive an application, contact the Canyon County Extension office (501 Main St., Caldwell) at 208-459-6003 or by email canyon@uidaho.edu.
Working in the Green Industry and want to sharpen your skills? A limited number of seats are available each year for Professional Audit. Contact Ariel Agenbroad at ariel@uidaho.edu to learn more about this option.
Idaho Master Gardener Responsibilities
Volunteers agree to give at least 30 volunteer hours sharing with others knowledge they have learned in a variety of ways, some of their own choosing, others at the Extension Office or Farmers' Markets.
Master Gardeners receive 50+ hours of training in:
- basic botany
- soils and fertilizers
- plant management
- pesticide safety
- insect identification & management
- plant disease prevention
- turf grass management
- woody and herbaceous ornamentals
- fruit trees, berries & grapes
- plant propagation
- horticultural equipment management
- backyard composting
- basic entomology
- rodents, birds, & other pests
- weeds
- landscaping& irrigation
- vegetable culture
- house plants & greenhouses
Resources
- When you become a certified Idaho Master Gardener, you join a statewide network of volunteers! Learn more about some of our outstanding Idaho Master Gardeners
Forms for Current Master Gardeners
- Get credit for your work! Volunteer record sheet for recording your hours served (pdf)
- Keep your Master Gardener Certification current! Download the guidelines and minimum requirements
Advanced Master Gardener Leadership Development Program
Canyon County Advanced Master Gardeners must complete 12 hours of education, 18 hours of volunteer service and take teaching and leadership roles in community projects. Applicants must be certified as a Master Gardener in Idaho. Download our Advanced Master Gardener program requirements.
Junior Master Gardeners
Junior Master Gardener (JMG) is an international youth gardening program. First brought to the Treasure Valley by retired Extension Educator Kevin Laughlin, the program has been embraced by hundreds of people who work with children in our region of the state. JMG curricula aims to grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education. JMG curricula is even linked with state teaching standards (grades 3-5 and 6-8). Visit the national Junior Master Gardener website.
The success of a JMG program relies upon the skills, passion and enthusiasm that the JMG Teacher/Leader has for working with kids and gardening. We are offering this training to prepare and assist teachers/leaders to successfully involve youth in this novel program.
Who can be a JMG Teacher/Leader? Parents, grandparents, guardians, 4-H leaders, teachers, childcare providers, home school teachers, youth leaders, camp counselors…you get the idea…anyone who wants to share the wonders of science and nature with youth. CEU credits are available.
Our JMG New Teacher/Leader Trainings are offered occasionally. To get on a mailing list for future trainings, email Ariel Agenbroad at ariel@uidaho.edu.