Cabell County Master Gardening Program

The Master Gardener program and training are conducted by the West Virginia University Extension Service through the county extension offices. The training provides gardeners with the opportunity to improve their horticultural knowledge and skills and then share their experience with the public through organized volunteer activities. The program topics covered include: botany, plant problem diagnosis, soils, ornamentals, pest management, fruits, vegetables, and plant propagation.

To become a Certified Master Gardener a person must successfully complete 30 hours of classroom education and then give 30 hours of approved volunteer work to their community within one year of completing the classroom work, the classes are free and the only cost is to cover the materials used in the class The cost is about seventy-five dollars. This will cover the Master Gardener Manual, Master Gardener, ID Badge, Class refreshments and all of the classes. In order to retain Certified Master Gardener status, a person must complete 6 hours of educational classes and 12 hours of volunteer hours on a yearly basis thereafter.

For further information, contact the Cabell County Extension Office at 304-743-7131

Cabell County Master Gardener classes are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Cabell County Master Gardener Association
Certification Requirements

Categories of Membership	Education hours required each calendar year	Volunteer hours required each calendar year	Dues required each calendar year*
Active Master Gardeners	6	12	$15.00 per person or $25.00 per family
Inactive Master Gardeners	6	0	$15.00 per person or $25.00 per family
Master Gardeners in Training (MGsIT) students who are currently enrolled in Master Gardener education classes	35 hours of class work	30 volunteer hours ....to be completed within one year from the time of the last class**	Upon completion of: a) 35 hours of class work b) final exam c) 30 hours of volunteer work MGsIT are encouraged to join the Cabell County Master Association ..... ....annual dues are not required during the first year of membership
* 2008 annual dues for active and inactive Master Gardeners are payable to Cabell County Master Gardener Association and are accepted by Susan Weinberger, CCMGA Treasurer Susan.Weinberger@wvdrs.org
Regarding the WSAZ Home and Garden Show, at the Big Sandy Super Arena, March 6-8, 2008: Master Gardeners who attend the one hour seminars may count each as one education hour. Master Gardeners who volunteer in the Master Gardener Booth may count each hour worked as one volunteer hour. Master Gardeners should report all hours accrued during the Home and Garden Show to Pat Bertoia, bertoia@verizon.net. within 30 days following the event.
** Each MGIT may choose any to earn volunteer hours...... a) working on his/her own project b) working on an existing project with other Master Gardeners c) working on a group project with other MGITs Each MGIT should submit his/her proposal for volunteer hours to Jane Wilson, jackjanewilson@verizon.net or Debbie Martin, MartinPTA@aol.com prior to starting work on a project/s.