Gilpin County, CO – The Gilpin County CSU Extension office is currently accepting applications to join the Colorado Master Gardener (CMG) volunteer program.
Expertise is not required, but a passion for gardening is a must.
The CMG program trains volunteers in the science of gardening via Green School, an online certification program spanning November through March each year. Taught by Extension specialists, coursework touches on Colorado-specific topics including botany, tree identification, irrigation, pest/weed management, and soils.
Upon completion of Green School, Master Gardener (MG) apprentices are expected to complete 50 hours of volunteer work in one year (or 60 hours over two years). Volunteer opportunities vary, but can generally be tailored to the interests and strengths of each volunteer. Apprentices transition to Master Gardeners after the first year volunteer requirement has been met, and the time commitment reduces to 24 volunteer hours annually.
There are currently four MGs in Gilpin County. These MGs host an annual plant sale, maintain the demonstration garden at the Barn Building, field questions from residents, help teach classes, write educational articles and posts, and assist with relevant CSU Extension events. These efforts all support the core mission of the Colorado Master Gardener program: to use horticulture to empower gardeners, develop partnerships, and build stronger communities.
When asked about her experience, Master Gardener Jane Billings said, “I have so much fun learning, meeting people in our community and being part of a larger mission under CSU. The camaraderie within the Gilpin County Extension Office and throughout the state is wonderful."
The CMG program is part of the larger Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program, founded in 1973 in Washington state. The CMG program has been active since 1975 and has grown to over 1500 volunteers serving in 46 counties.
The current application window closes on September 2nd. Applications are completed online and typically require less than an hour of time. For residents who don’t want to volunteer, but still want to take the classes, regular Green School course is also an option. Reduced registration fees and scholarships are available. Visit the Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener website for details and to apply.
Residents interested in the program may contact Gilpin Extension Director Jennifer Cook at jennifer.cook@colostate.edu or (303) 582-9106 with questions.