MASTER GARDENERS in Ottawa

The mission of the program is to develop the horticultural knowledge of its volunteers so they can provide accurate, well-balanced and environmentally sound gardening advice to home gardeners. MGs may come from a great variety of backgrounds but all have a passion for gardening and all enjoy sharing their expertise with the public.

The Master Gardener program in Ontario is administered by Master Gardeners of Ontario, Inc (MGOI). The province is divided into 11 zones each of which has a representative on the board of directors. The Ottawa-Carleton MG group is in Zone 8 along with Lanark, United Counties and Renfrew groups.

The Ottawa-Carleton group currently has 25 active MGs and would like to recruit new members. MG candidates are interviewed and write an eligibility test which can be easily passed by a home gardener. If they choose to join they become a Master Gardener in Training (MGiT) and must sign an agreement to earn the Horticulturist Certificate from Guelph University within two years. Currently this consists of three courses which can be taken by independent study. The MGiT must pay the tuition but will eventually receive a 50% reimbursement if they remain with the group. Candidates who already have formal horticultural training can be excused from taking these courses if they achieve sufficient standing on an exemption exam set by MGOI. MGiTs must also agree to volunteer 30 hours each year participating in activities which are centred around giving gardening advice to the public.

Ottawa Carleton MGs fill their time commitment through a variety of activities: giving advice on Saturdays during the spring at the Parkdale, Carp and Byward markets and on Sundays during spring and summer at the Experimental Farm; answering email and phone help lines; writing articles for a gardening column in the Sunday Sun. We sponsor a series of lecture by MGs each spring in association with the Friends of the Farm and also often have an information booth at events such as the Home Show. Individual members give lectures or workshops on request and often undertake special projects.

So ... what about you? Are you an experienced home gardener? Are you interested in learning more about gardening? Does this volunteer opportunity sound like it would be a good fit for your available time? Would you enjoy sharing your knowledge by giving advice to other home gardeners? If you answered yes to these questions, consider joining us - wed love to have you. For more information, check out our website http://www.geocities.com/mgottawa_carleton/index.htmlor contact Kelly Noel at khnoel(-at-)rogers.com

Kelly NoelCoordinator, Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton

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