WHO WE ARE
Master Gardeners is first and foremost a volunteer service organization with a mandate to offer free, authoritative, and unbiased gardening advice to the public. Our experienced gardeners have studied horticulture and plant science. We continue to upgrade our skills every year through technical training. With this training and education, we provide year-round unbiased horticultural advice and expertise to home gardeners, and we encourage good gardening practices. Our Ottawa group is part of the Master Gardeners of Ontario, Inc., through which we derive our legal standing and charitable status.
HISTORY
Master Gardeners began in Seattle, Washington in the 1970s. The Ontario program was started by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) in the early 1980s and our Ottawa group was founded in 1985. We are very proud to count among our existing members four originals who joined when our Ottawa group was first founded. You can read more about the history of Master Gardeners in Ontario here.
FUNDING
OMAFRA no longer provides either training or support for any of the Ontario Master Gardener groups. We are wholly volunteer run and managed. It costs about $2,000 for each of us to pursue the post-secondary courses required to qualify as a Master Gardener. Our group conducts annual fundraising activities to help subsidize this cost. Donations from the public also help to support this foundational education, and allow us to develop educational materials and resources for the gardening public.
Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. is a registered volunteer run charity. Your donation will be greatly appreciated and will go toward MGOI inspired gardening programs and help defray the costs in delivery of our services.
Please direct your donation to GROUP OTTAWA-CARLETON when selecting the fund. A tax receipt will be generated immediately.