61 State Street, Troy, NY 12180
518-272-4210
61 State Street, Troy, NY 12180
518-272-4210
The Master Gardener Program
Master Gardeners are volunteers who work with our Horticulture Program. Nationally, the first Extension Master Gardener program started in Washington State in 1972. Master Gardeners have been working in Rensselaer County since 1978, making ours one of the longer-running programs in existence today.
Master Gardeners receive over sixty hours of training in an array of horticultural topics, including botany, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, and the culture of trees, shrubs, vegetables, fruit, ornamentals, and lawns.
In return for their training, Master Gardeners donate service to Rensselaer County. In 2002, our 75 Master Gardeners donated over 3,232 hours of time. Projects include public speaking through our Speaker Bureau, organizing and operating Spring Garden Day and the Country Living and Garden Tour, tree planting projects, Schaghticoke Fair, answering phone inquiries, Oakwood Cemetery and Prospect Park rejuvenation, and school gardening.
Master Gardeners have fun, too! Regional and state conferences, field trips and garden visits, potluck dinners, plant exchanges and continuing education opportunities occur throughout the year.
For more information on the Master Gardener Program in Rensselaer County, call us at (518) 272-4210.