BRIEF HISTORY

During the early 1970’s a Washington State extension agent found himself overwhelmed by community requests for horticultural information and education.  Realizing the importance of this information and education to his community, he and a Washington State plant pathologist devised a plan to train “master” volunteers to assist in providing horticultural information and education to the public.  The first Master Gardener class was trained in 1973.

The first Master Gardener program was initiated in Texas in 1979 in Montgomery County by County Extension Horticultural Agent, Tom LeRoy.  Today, the Texas Master Program can be found in counties across the State of Texas.

CURRENT

Montgomery County Master Gardener Association

Membership in the very active Montgomery County Master Gardener Association (MCMGA) exceeds 200. All members are certified Master Gardeners or Master Gardeners in training.  The skills, knowledge and individuality of members contribute to the vitality of the Association and to the community.

Master Gardeners provide gardening information and education to community members through activities including but not limited to:

• Manning a garden information telephone line every week day
• Maintaining demonstration gardens to test plant success in MontgomeryCounty
• Providing educational outreach on a variety of horticultural topics to garden clubs, civic associations and other community organizations
• Assisting with Junior Master Gardening programs in schools for children
• Writing educational and informational articles for the local newspaper
• Providing landscaping support to initiatives like the Habit for Humanity projects.

Funding to support Master Gardener Association operations and initiatives is derived from MCMGA plant sales and from grants from community organizations.

A Master Gardener training program is offered annually for Montgomery County community members.  For more information see Is Master Gardening for me?