St. Louis Master Gardener Application

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the St. Louis Master Gardener Program. Our mission is "to provide research-based horticultural information to the public for community service and gardening pleasure". Each year, a training program is offered to individuals who are interested in becoming a St. Louis Certified Master Gardener. This course is offered on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m., beginning in January and running thorugh early May.

Each week, individual 3-hour sessions are held at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Kemper Center for Home Gardening.  The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110. Since volunteering is a large part of this program, candidates must commit themselves to volunteer fifty (50) or more hours each year on a variety of projects in the community. Attendance at all class sessions is highly recommended. Trainees will be dismissed from the program if they miss more than two sessions. Trainees will be tested for their knowledge and must pass with 70% in combined scores.  If you have any questions about the program or the application process, please contact Nathan Brandt, MU Horticulture Specialist at brandtn@missouri.edu.

To apply, complete and submit the following online application. Enrollment for the Certified Master Gardener Training Program is limited to 25 and only one class is taught per year. Applicants will be contacted by email as to acceptance into this program sometime in early November.  Cost for the class of 17 individual 3-hour session is $325.  Payment must be made within one week of notification of acceptance to hold your position.

= Required field

* First Name
 * Last Name
* Email Address
 Phone Number
Address 1
 Address 2
City
 State/Province
Postal Code
 Country
1. Why would you like to take this training? Please explain.
2. At present, are you working professionally with plants and/or landscapes?
Yes
No

If yes, please explain:
3. Describe your gardening knowlege and experience.
4. Which gardening activities do you enjoy the most, and why?
5. List any gardening groups, plant societies, or conservation groups with which you have been or are currently affiliated.
6. List any present or previous volunteer involvements and length of service.
7. Do you have any special interests, hobbies, or skills that might benefit the Program?
   (e.g., photography, computer, editorial, audio-visual, calligraphy, etc.)?
8. Will you be able to attend ALL sessions within the 18-week training program, with sessions to be held on consecutive Thursdays from 1:00-4:00p.m., first week of January and first week of May?
Yes
No

If no, please explain:
9. Trainees typically will spend 15-20 hours per week outside of the classroom on homework assignments and/or studying.
Will your schedule allow a commitment of this nature?
Yes
No
10. Trainees will also be expected to pass weekly quizzes and a final exam.
Is this of concern to you?
Yes
No

If yes, please explain:
11. Most of your classroom materials will be provided electronically and some of the testing will be performed online.
Will you have access to a computer for these purposes?
Yes
No
12. Will your schedule allow you to meet your annual volunteer obligation of 50 hours?
(50 hours need to be completed by December 31 in the year training is taken)
Yes
No
13. You will be assigned a volunteer project to spend your first 40 hours towards Certification. Once you have reviewed the list of MG projects, please list below in the order of your preference, the projects that would be of most interest.
First Choice
Second Choice
Third Choice
14. What else should we know about you?
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