FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MAMGA and the MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
WHAT IS the UW - Extension Master Gardener Certification?
The Master Gardener Program overseen by the Wisconsin Master Gardener Program under UW Madison Department of Extension is designed to train volunteers who can extend science-based gardening information to the public. Certified Master Gardeners are those who have completed the “Foundations in Gardening” curriculum and an Onboarding process administered by the Wisconsin Master Gardener Program and who annually certify their status by completing and officially recording at least 24 hours of volunteer work and 10 hours of continuing education during a calendar year (Januaray 1-December 31). Certified MGs may also be required to complete additional training if mandated by the UW, such as “Mandated Reporter” training for child abuse and background checks.
You may maintain your certification by volunteering in the many of the opportunities offered by Dane County Extension such as Dane County Extension Teaching Garden or greenhouse, answering gardening questions at Farmers’ Markets, participating in the Speakers Bureau and more under the guidance of Lisa Johnson, Extension Horticulture Educator for Dane County, you need to also undergo a background check and complete an online training to become a Mandate Reporter.
Master Gardener Volunteers have a variety of interests, spanning from vegetable gardening to native plant landscaping. The program is designed to give students a broad overview of information and resources to be able to volunteer in a variety of areas. Photo: J. Arlecchino, Creative Commons.
WHAT IS MAMGA? WHat is WIMGA?
MAMGA Madison Area Master Gardeners Association is a non-profit organization with over 300 members. We provide a venue for dedicated gardeners to promote responsible, research-based gardening and stewardship of the environment through education, volunteer service, newsletter and social opportunities.
We award $5,000 annually in grants to Dane County school, public and community gardens.
Membership is open to all who have successfully completed the requirements to become a Master Gardener in the Wisconsin Master Gardener Program or equivalent training in another state. MAMGA encourages members to complete and record volunteer and education hours.
Current Extension certification is NOT required for MAMGA membership. If your certification lapses, you may still be active in MAMGA.
WIMGA, the Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association, is the statewide organization for Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners must be in “Good Standing” to join WIMGA.
Please see the bottom of our MEMBERSHIP PAGE to find out more about MAMGA and WIMGA!
There are countless ways to earn your volunteer hours for Master Gardener certification.
VOLUNTEERING
There are many ways to volunteer as a MG, including participation in MAMGA’S prairie restoration/pollinator gardens “Signature Project” at the Lussier Center. The Onboarding or Onboarding Lite training will specify which volunteer hours are currently permitted for the Online Recording System (ORS)
Here is a current list of volunteering assignments.
Dane County Extension Teaching Garden
Additional volunteer hours may be completed for organizations or events such as Garden Expo, UW Arboretum, Dane County Parks, Olbrich Gardens, Henry Vilas Zoo, Allen Centennial Gardens, West Madison Agricultural Station.
Please make connections and seek out community organizations to support through volunteering.
Note that as you identify eligible, non-profit organizations needing volunteers, you need to notify wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu to request that the organization be added to the ORS database, otherwise you cannot record those hours. Such a request is best made before volunteering at the site and before November of the calendar year.
If you have questions about which organizations may be included, please email wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu
WHAT IS MG Continuing Education?
Master Gardener Volunteers need 10 hours of education each year to maintain certification, but may still remain in the program as uncertified MGs. Many MAMGA programs qualify for continuing education credit. Another easy way to pick up hours is to listen to Larry Meiller's Garden Talk program on Fridays starting at 11 a.m. on Wisconsin Public Radio.
Not all programs qualify - see criteria for what counts in On-Boarding Lite 2024.
For a list of eligible continuing education opportunities (February 2024) click here.
HELP! Where do I send MAMGA related forms?
You may renew MAMGA/WIMGA memberships and register for the Annual Meeting on-line or print the mail-in the forms.
Mail to:
MAMGA
P.O. Box 259318
Madison, WI 53525-9318