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Love Plants and People?
Join the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Missouri

The Master Gardener Program
is an opportunity to serve the community, increase your knowledge of gardening, meet new people, and have loads of fun!

Who Are We?
Master Gardeners are volunteers for the University of Missouri's Extension Program. Extension's purpose is to provide every Missouri citizen access to the information resources of the University. Extension departments include Agriculture, Dairy, 4-H, Continuing Education, Human Development, and Foods & Nutrition, in addition to the Horticulture Department with its Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners help their local Horticulture agent provide the public with the latest home gardening information.   Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City donate thousands of hours annually.

Where Are We Located?
The main Extension Office is located at 1501 NW Jefferson in Blue Springs. We also have a branch office in North Kansas City at the Clay County Court House Annex where there are Master Gardeners available to answer questions two days a week. Then available to help one day a week, we have Master Gardeners at the Extension office in Platte County and a Question and Answer Desk in Cass County.  Activities take place all over the Kansas City area.

What Services Do We Provide?
Master Gardeners provide horticultural education to the community through:

• a free gardening Hotline
• a speaker's bureau
• children's programs
• gardening programs for people with special needs
• displays and exhibits at special events
• plant clinics

Time Commitment
Master Gardeners  undergo extensive training. They agree to donate a minimum of 45 service hours within one year after training. Then they complete at least 20 hours annually to remain an active MGGKC.

About Our Training...
Prospective Master Gardeners are required to attend a course in Home Horticulture, taught by University of Missouri Horticulture faculty and other qualified professionals. There is a tuition fee, which also covers books and materials.

Course topics include:

• basic plant anatomy and functions
• maintaining healthy soil
• fruit and vegetable gardening
• lawn care
• tree and shrub care
• landscape design
• growing annuals and perennials
• basic plant pathology

Class Times and Location
The Home Horticulture course is generally offered once a year. Classes meet for approximately
three hours, one day (or evening, depending on facility availability) per week for 16 weeks.
Class locations vary, but they are generally held in the Independence area.
Field trips and hands-on learning experiences are included whenever possible.

All Work And No Play?
No way! The opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow gardeners is one of the best things
about Master Gardeners. Love of food and fun is a must for the prospective MGGKC!

How Do I Apply?
For more information, or to add your name to the Master Gardener Program mailing list,
call the University Extension Horticulture Department at 816-252-5051.

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Lala Kumar, West Central Region Horticulture Specialist kumarl@missouri.edu Jackson County, MO Extension Center 1501 NW Jefferson, Suite 110 Blue Springs, MO 64015 (816) 252-5051 (816) 252-5575