OSU Extension Master Gardener Program

Linda R McMahanStaff Chair & Community Horticulture

Oregon State University Extension Service, Yamhill County

linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu

Oregon State University is Oregon’s Land Grant College!

• OSU created in the late 1800’s• Cooperative Extension Services

nationwide are associated with Land Grant Colleges

• Extension began with a program to educate adults and youth through the 4-H program

OSU –

more than a football team

Oregon State University Extension Service

• 100 years old in 2011!• In Yamhill County, 4.5 faculty are

funded primarily through state resources

• The county has a tax-funded Service District passed by voters in the 1980s to cover office-related expenses

The Master Gardener Program in Oregon is managed through Oregon State University Extension as part of the Land Grant Mission

• The program began in mid-1970s in Washington to alleviate work of agricultural agents flooded with gardening questions

• Now nationwide!

In Oregon, the name “Master Gardener” is

trademarked by OSU

Who are OSU Extension Master Gardeners ?

• Volunteers trained in garden practices

• Who provide information & services to the citizens of Oregon

In Yamhill County, OSU Master Gardeners learn in classes that are taught 11 consecutive Thursdays in winter months

They take additional trainings each year to stay Certified as OSU Master Gardeners

Volunteers in regular clinic hours in the McMinnville OSU Extension Office assist the public with many questions – Also at the McMinnville and Newberg Farmer’s Market!

Who knows what these are?

Larvae of lady bird beetle (ladybugs)!

How about this one?

Black Knot of Cherry

Once trained, what do OSU Master Gardeners do with their time?• They volunteer to “pay back” the effort put

into their training—each is worth more than $800 to OSU

Maintain demonstration gardens at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds and assist with renovations of the Fairgrounds Horticultual Pavilion & other facilities

Judge horticultural entries at the County Fair

Offer plant sales for the community which raise funds for education

Demonstrating “Bee Dances”

After-school programs

Educational programs for the community

Award-winning Insect Committee that learns about insects and helps with identification, recommendations, and training of master gardeners around the state

Working with Cities of Dundee and Newberg to plan and create WaterWise Gardens in public areas

OSU Cooperators Award to Newberg Public Works

Beautifying Newberg by Working with Newberg High School

And More!

• Community Gardens in McMinnville in partnership with the Salvation Army

• Daffodil Festival in Amity• Clinics at Garden Stores• And more programs developing every

year!

• Master Gardeners™ are OSU trained volunteers who contribute their knowledge and skills to the local community

• MG training is open to all interested gardeners in Yamhill County by application

• Online and "Blended" (a combination of classroom and online modules) training options are available

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/master-gardeners

Always Learning-- Always serving

These are your OSU Master Gardener volunteers!

Thank You!

linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/