COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — Did you know that turning a vacant lot into green space can reduce crime rates, or that just 30 minutes of gardening can relieve stress and depression? From air purification to helping us live longer, plants have a powerful impact not only on our health, but also on the well-being of our communities. Unfortunately, many people believe that they need a green thumb to get involved with gardening and sustainable horticulture projects.
With Penn State Extension’s Master Gardener program, though, anyone can become a force for photosynthesis — all you need is excitement about the natural world and a passion for volunteering.
For those who are unfamiliar, The Penn State Master Gardener volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate the public and our communities on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship.
No prior experience is required, as all volunteers go through a 40-hour Basic Training in horticultural science. Trainees must then complete 50 hours of volunteer service within their first year to achieve their official Master Gardener certification. Master Gardeners maintain their certification by completing 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education each year.
In Montgomery County, Master Gardeners come from all walks of life and engage in a variety of projects. Volunteer Ann Breen works in wireless telecommunications, but as a Master Gardener, she leads other volunteers in transforming the gardens at Keystone Hospice Care into a soothing, therapeutic space for patients and their families.
David Sutton, retired from a career in marketing, volunteers in the Master Gardeners’ Learning Gardens at the Montgomery County 4-H Center, where he is designing and installing a native groundcover demonstration plot. Not all projects take place outdoors, though.
Retired after many years working in Environmental Product Stewardship for a pharmaceutical company, Virginia Cunningham leads Montgomery County’s Master Gardener Horticulture Hotline, a free service that individuals can call or email for help with plant diagnostics as well as general gardening advice.
When asked why they wanted to join the program, nearly every Master Gardener cites a love of learning and a passion to share horticultural knowledge with others.
If you fit that description, you too can become a Master Gardener. Applications are now open for Montgomery County’s next Basic Training, which starts on Aug. 15 and will run on Thursday evenings (5:45 to 8:30 p.m.) through Dec. 4.
For more information and to download an application, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/join. Completed applications can be sent to the Montgomery County Extension Office, 1015 Bridge Rd, Ste H, Collegeville, PA 19426.
— Penn State Extension, Montgomery County