Ramsey County Master Gardeners are highly trained volunteers who educate the public and enhance our community. We have 120-130 Master Gardeners, who volunteer approximately 6,500 hours in Ramsey County annually.
Our Mission
The general Master Gardener mission is to educate the public in “horticulture & environmental stewardship.” The Master Gardeners in Ramsey County seek to also:
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Teach the public environmentally-sound landscaping practices – Including:
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Composting
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Proper tree, shrub, and turf care
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Proper weed, insect, and animal pest management
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Increase our services to different Ramsey County cultures – particularly Hmong and Hispanic cultures
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Teach youth to enjoy the benefits of gardening, in ways that enhance our environment
Core Projects
Ramsey County Master Gardeners have determined several “Core Projects” which best serve our mission. We focus our volunteer time on these projects. They are:
Staffing Ramsey County Compost Site “Q&A Booths”
At Ramsey County Compost Sites, we advise county citizens on: home composting, yard waste reduction, and environmentally-sound yard care. FREE.
Staffing the 'Ask a Master Gardener' Phone Line
We answer yard and garden-related questions of every type imaginable! FREE.
Staffing Our Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic
We staff this clinic from mid-April through mid-October, at the Ramsey County Extension Service office. County citizens bring in plant or insect samples, and teams of Master Gardeners diagnose the problem and offer information or solutions. FREE.
Staffing Farmers’ Market “Q&A Booths”
We staff question and answer booths at the Har Mar, Aldrich, and Downtown Farmers’ Markets during the produce season. We answer questions and provide information on other resources available to residents. FREE.
Teaching at Community Enrichment Projects
The public requests Master Gardener help with numerous community projects annually. We select those that best fit our mission, and send Ramsey Master Gardener volunteers to help. These projects may include teaching schoolchildren to plant rain gardens to protect our water supplies, and staffing Q&A booths at community gardens and environmental celebrations. These projects tap into and bring together diverse communities, a factor that allows us to improve our outreach to public sectors that might not otherwise obtain the information they need. They attract some of our most dedicated volunteers, and involve people from myriad backgrounds in the magic of gardening.
Common Questions
Why do you accept so few applicants for the Ramsey County Master Gardener Program?
Because our staff resources are limited, our Ramsey County Master Gardener program is as large as we can allow it to grow and still administrate it effectively. In addition, we limit our intern class size to provide our interns with the personal support they need to become effective, long-term volunteers.
What do you seek in a Ramsey County Master Gardener applicant?
A successful applicant is committed to serving the needs of Ramsey County residents through the above projects. A formal education in horticulture isn’t necessary—we will provide the training and resources to help you teach others.
This year’s Ramsey Master Gardener interview day and/or core course isn’t convenient for me. What do I do?
You may wish to reapply for next year’s intern class. Please e-mail your home county, name, address, phone #, and e-mail address, to: rcmg@umn.edu
Why do you have Core Projects? Why can’t I do any activity I wish?
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The Ramsey County Master Gardener program focuses on projects which educate the public.
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Our staff is paid with county tax dollars, and therefore we must work to fulfill a specific county mission.
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We design our Core Projects to give our Master Gardeners the best opportunities to increase their horticulture skills.
What if I have an idea for a new project for Master Gardeners to do?
We review all new project requests for their fit with our mission and our ability to provide the resources needed. Like any other organization, we have to carefully prioritize where we send our limited personnel and financial resources. As much as we might like the idea, we can’t do it all!
I don’t feel like I know enough about gardening. Do I really have to help people in person?
The good news is that Master Gardeners usually serve the public in teams. We make an effort to ensure that our new volunteers are placed with other, more seasoned volunteers. So whether you are scheduled at a compost site, a farmer’s market booth, or another event, you’ll be with knowledgeable, helpful people who will make sure you’re not on your own. You’ll have fun—and you will learn a lot!
