3. Know how. Know now.
EMG History
Program began by a group of Extensions Staff in
Washington State
Staff overwhelmed by horticulture requests from public
EMG concept was born -- 1972
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EMG Name
From the German word „Gartenmeister‟
This beam anglicized to „Master Gardener‟
Gartenmeister is a title Germans bestow for the top level of
proficiency in horticulture
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EMG‟s today
EMG‟s represent all 50 states and 4 Canadian provinces
In a 2009 survey by USDA/NIFA there were 95,000 active
EMG‟s
Providing 5,000,000 volunteer service hours
8. Know how. Know now.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extension
Mission: to help Nebraskan enhance their lives through
research-based education
9. Know how. Know now.
UNL Extension Master Gardeners
Mission: to extend the outreach of the University of Nebraska-
Lincoln by providing volunteers with research-based
horticulture education, which prepares them to share their
knowledge with citizens of the State.
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UNL EMG‟s are representatives of the University of Nebraska-
Lincoln
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Master Gardener
“The „Master‟ in Master Gardener doesn‟t mean you know
everything about gardening, it just means you volunteer your
time helping others grow.”
- Mary McLellan, former MSU State MG Coordinator
12. Know how. Know now.
UNL EMG Training site
Adams County - Ron Seymour Gage County - Nicole Haxton
Buffalo County - Ted Griess Hall County - Elizabeth Killinger
Chase County - Robert Tigner Keith/Arthur/Perkins Counties - Doug Anderson
Cheyenne, Kimball, Banner Counties - Karen DeBoer Lancaster County - Mary Jane Frogge
Dawes County - Scott Cotton Lincoln, McPherson Counties - David Lott
Dawson County - Bruce Treffer Madison County - Wayne Ohnesorg
Dodge County - Natalia Bjorklund Nemaha County - Gary Lesoing
Douglas County - Kathleen Cue & Mary Anna Anderson
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Otoe County - Vaughn Hammond
Phelps County - Linda Dannehl
Platte County - Kelly Feehan
Red Willow County - Brain Strauch
Scotts Bluff County - Jim Schild
Washington County - Steve Tonn
York County - Gary Zoubek
UNL East Campus Program – Terri James
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Education
Initial year
Minimum 40 hours of training
Core classes (18 hours)
Plant classes (15 hours)
Electives (7 hours)
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After the initial education …
1st year – minimum 40 hours of volunteer time
by November 1
2nd + years – minimum 10 hours of continuing education
and 20 hours of volunteer time
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Volunteer time
Horticultural projects that educate others
Answering phone at Count offices
„Ask-a-Master Gardener‟ booths at events
Demonstration gardens
Backyard Farmer
Public gardens
30. Know how. Know now.
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and
Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
cooperating with the Counties and the United States
Department of Agriculture.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational
programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the
University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States
Department of Agriculture.