Congratulations on joining the OSU Extension Master Gardener program! We look forward to having you become a part of the Extension community! The purpose of this page is to provide answers to frequently asked questions and serve as a reference during your first year in the program. Please explore other pages on the website for volunteer opportunities and general references on the Master Gardener program. Enjoy your Master Gardener Journey!
Staying in Touch and Getting Help
Have questions or need a hand?
- Reach out to your mentors. You should have a list of them from your training.
- Email or call Paul Maree, your Education Program Assistant
- paul.maree@oregonstate.edu
- 541-247-6672 x2
Volunteering and Graduation Checklist
- Complete the online modules and pass all online quizzes (score >70%)
- Create an account in the Volunteer Recording System (VRS)
- Create an account in ECCO (our Plant Clinic database)
- Visit our TEAMUPs Calendar for updated activities and events
- **Contact Paul Maree for link to the calendar.**
- Complete 40 volunteer hours in these categories by October 31:
- Plant Clinics
- New Greenhouse Projects
- Plant Sale Preperation and Set up
- School Garden Activities
- For Port Orford
- Driftwood Elementary (Contact Martin Teague)
- Pacific High School (Contact Wendy Tomko)
- For Gold Beach
- Riley Creek Elementary (Contact Lori Phelan)
- For Brookings
- Kalmiopsis Elementary (Contact Julia Bott)
- For Port Orford
- Citizen Science efforts. Contact Norma Kline for more information
- Attending Monthly CCMGA and/or Greenhouse meetings (See TEAMUPs calender for schedule)
- Extension Office assistance (Contact Paul Maree)
- Enter your completed volunteer hours into the online system by October 31
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Membership in county Master Gardener Associations
The Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA), a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in 1982 to enhance and support the activities of Oregon’s Extension Master Gardener Program. OMGA and its county chapter associations enhance and support the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program by assisting in the continuing education of Master Gardeners, providing educational programs to members at monthly meetings, and organizing other education events such as educational symposia, garden tours, and nursery visits. OMGA chapters also serve as a social center for Master Gardeners, and as a clearinghouse for projects and planning of OSU-sanctioned educational outreach programs.
During your first year as a Master Gardener trainee, you are given free membership into OMGA and your local chapter. After that, you must pay dues to remain a member. Joining OMGA and your local chapter is not required to be an OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer. However, joining OMGA, and your local OMGA chapter is one way to support the efforts of your local Master Gardener program, and to stay better connected to the Master Gardener events and activities in your area. (adapted from An Introduction to Being A Master Gardener)
