Master GardenerAssociation of Passaic County
Building community from the soil up
What is a Master Gardener?
The first Master Gardener program in New Jersey was established in Bergen County in 1984. Since then, thousands of Master Gardener volunteers have been trained throughout the state and have given hundreds of thousands of hours in service to the residents of New Jersey.
Master Gardeners deliver horticultural programs and educational outreach to the general public. Some people need information on garden or landscape care, pest control in and around the home, or ways to meet today's gardening challenges using environmentally sound and effective methods. People living in low-income or densely populated areas often need technical assistance and opportunities to grow more of their own food, beautify their community, or enjoy gardening within the confines of their limited space. These residents seek program such as Cooperative Extension that provide them with unbiased, research-based information on best practices and techniques.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers University in its mission to provide horticultural education and and appreciation to the residents of Passaic County.
To become a certified Rutgers Master Gardener one must successfully complete the 21-week academic coursework. Students must contribute sixty hours of volunteer time to Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Passaic County (10 of which are devoted to the helpline) .
Active Master Gardeners must have 25 hours of service and 10 hours of continuing education yearly.
Get Involved
Interested in becoming a Master Gardener?
Classes begin for Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Class of 2025 in November, please call 973-305-5740 or email Julia Piermatteo
For more Information, visit the Become a Master Gardener page.
Thank You
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
If you would like to help support the Master Gardeners, please send a tax deductible donation to Master Gardener Association of Passaic County
1310 Route 23 North, Wayne, NJ 07470.
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