Dorchester Master Gardener Program

Welcome to the Dorchester County Master Gardener Program.

Dorchester Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by the University of Maryland, who provide horticultural education services to individuals, groups, and communitites including government agencies, neighborhood associations, non-profit organizations, historic sites, schools and youth groups, senior citizens and garden clubs. Master Gardener programs and services are available to all Dorchester County residents and community groups.

For more information on becoming a Master Gardener or Master Gardener programs in Dorchester County, please contact 410-228-8800.

New Class Forming for Dorchester County Master Gardeners

The Maryland Master Gardener Program was started in 1978 as a means of extending the horticultural and pest management expertise of University of Maryland Extension to the general public. Today, this popular program can be found in 18 Maryland counties, Baltimore City, and two Maryland prisons.

The program is designed to train volunteer horticultural educators for University of Maryland Extension- the principal outreach education unit of the University of Maryland. Participants receive 40-50 hours of basic training from University of Maryland professionals and then agree to work in their communities to teach Marylanders how to cultivate garden spaces and manage landscapes sustainably using research-based information. This environmental horticulture approach reduces fertilizer and pesticide use resulting in improved soil and water quality.

Master Gardeners typically work in group-directed teams and committees with trainees matched to senior Master Gardeners. Typical activities include

Environmental gardening demonstrations and classes
Plant clinics where plant and pest problems are diagnosed and residents learn least-toxic solutions
Individual phone and site consultations
Composting classes and demonstration sites
Speakers' bureaus that make public presentations
Youth gardening
Community gardening and beautification
Information booths at fairs and festivals
Therapeutic horticulture
Advanced training/continuing education

Classes will be held at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center beginning on Wednesday September 14, 2011. Classes are held Wednesday evenings from 5-9pm and Fridays from 9am-3pm, and end on Friday, October 14^th. For more information and an application contact the office at 410-228-8800.

Master Gardener Logo Dorchester County

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For more information, contact Sudeep Mathew, Extension Educator, Agricultural Science; 410-228-8800

Last updated: 08/3/2011