Master Gardener Sprouting Kit

Dear Prospective Master Gardener:

Thank you for your interest in the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program.  Okeechobee and Indian River County residents can complete a training program to become Florida Master Gardeners.  

The dates for the next class are still being planned.  Class time for these classes will be during  daytime hours during one day of the week for 12 consecutive weeks followed by a graduation program.

To be selected for an upcoming training program, interested volunteers should review the Sprouting Kit at the links below and complete the application.  The Sprouting Kit contains the following information:

• Master Gardener History and Training programs

• State Master Gardener Policies Guidelines and Annual Master Gardener Agreement  (FYI only)

• Master Gardener Volunteer Position Descriptions - Plant Clinic Assistant and 4-H Junior Master Gardener Leader

After reviewing the above information, prospective trainees should submit a volunteer application along with the program fee: 

Download [4 pages - pdf file]  Volunteer Application for Okeechobee County

Example MG class schedule:   2010  Class schedule  

To be considered for this next class, complete the Volunteer Application & Sprouting Kit Questionnaire.  Remember to include your choice of dates/times for an interview.

Contact your county Extension office if you would like us to mail you a copy of the Sprouting Kit and the application. 

To participate in the Okeechobee County Master Gardener training, there is a $150.00 required program fee.  This fee is used for teaching materials, required textbooks  and a MG name tag and polo shirt.  Also included is a  $50.00 "deposit" which will be refunded to you after 75 hours of volunteer service.   (The traditional MG reference notebooks will NOT be provided to students.)   All fees will be refunded to you immediately if you are not selected for this year’s program.  Please make your check payable to "Extension Activities". 

Return all the forms and your check ASAP, but no later than the deadline date.  We will call and confirm an interview time.  

We look forward to meeting you in the very near future!

Horticulturally yours,

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS /University of Florida.  Millie Ferrer, Interim Dean.  Last update: 04/09/2012 .  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert