Heart of Missouri Master Gardener Chapter

The Heart of Missouri Master Gardener Chapter volunteers abide by the Extension Master Gardener motto of “helping others learn to grow” by extending the knowledge of the University of Missouri research-based horticulture to the Boone County community. Our volunteers accomplish this goal by maintaining demonstration gardens that illustrate a variety of gardening methods, teaching classes in school gardens, providing advice and education in community gardens, and hosting gardening fairs and seminars for the public.

Our chapter meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Boone County Extension Center, 1012 N Highway UU, Columbia, MO. For more information about the Heart of Missouri Master Gardener Chapter activities, please call 573-445-9792.

Any resident with an interest in gardening, novice or expert, may take the Master Gardener Core Course. All you have to do is follow these steps:

1. Apply to attend training in a location near you.
   1. Find out about local programming by contacting us. Contact the Boone County Extension office to be notified when the next local class is scheduled.
2. Complete the Extension Master Gardener core training.
   • 30 hours of plant education offered in the spring and fall. Courses are taught by University of Missouri faculty, local experts & MU Extension educators. Topics include: vegetables, compost and soil, flowers, fruits, turf grass, landscape design, woody landscape plants, plant propagation, integrated pest management, plant diseases and insects.
3. Volunteer in your community.
   • Complete the 30-hour internship by December 31 of the following year. Volunteer on projects and at events to teach plants in the community.
4. Stay involved.
   • Master Gardeners can remain active members in following years by attending six or more hours of continuing education and contributing 20 hours or more of volunteer community service.
   • Report your volunteer and continuing education hours online by December 31st of each year.

Master Gardeners moving from other states are evaluated on a case-by-case basis through discussion with the individual, local coordinator, and State Coordinator.

At the heart of the Missouri Master Gardener program is our volunteers. Volunteers assist the University of Missouri Extension Service personnel to extend the educational arm of the university to the public by providing horticultural information based on university research and recommendations.

In other words, the Missouri Master Gardener program is a place for volunteers to have a fun, educational experience while serving the community in which they live while doing what they love.