Training
Any resident of Kerr, Gillespie, Bandera, or other surrounding counties who wishes to become a Hill Country Master Gardener must make application, complete an interview and pay $175 tuition. When accepted into the Master Gardener program, students attend once-a-week training sessions January through April. Classes are taught by Texas A&M horticulture specialists, staff, and area horticulture experts. The program offers more than 50 hours of instruction covering such topics as shrub, tree, and lawn care; insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable and flower gardening; water conservation; and safe environmental practices.
Certification
In exchange for the 50 hours of training, participants must volunteer 50 hours of their time within one year. Interns become certified Texas Master Gardeners when the volunteer commitment is fulfilled. Hours are earned through organization activities and service projects. Master Gardeners are representatives of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master Gardeners follow the research-based recommendations of the Extension Service. To maintain certification, Master Gardeners must fulfill 25 volunteer hours and six continuing education hours yearly. Master Gardeners — all gardeners — never stop learning. The first Wednesday of each month Hill Country Master Gardeners meet to hear a speaker present information on some aspect of gardening. Committee reports are heard and ongoing projects are discussed as well. |
