The Master Gardener experience can vary a great deal .
It depends on what your county offers , what you bring to the table and what your expectations are .

Many people find the MG education process way more than they bargained for . I heard lots of complaints that it was too technical , too academic and too scientific . For me , it was exactly what I wanted and more .

I am very proud to be a Master Gardener . I enjoy working at our Ag Center and taking advantage of the continuing education . Classes and field trips are offered frequently and at very little or no cost .

Other MGs take a different path and therein lies the beauty of the statewide program . It is entirely what you choose ( or choose not ) to make of it .

I have learned that there are many, many sources of excellent garden knowledge . The MG program is just one of many avenues available to you . Go for it vaodiva ! You have little to lose and everything to gain .

I learned so very much and launched my passion for wildlife habitat ,natives, insects etc.
You will always here from naysayers whether it is church,politics or whatever so just keep on track.
Each ext office is different,each county does different things and each expects different things of the gardeners.
But they all do require SOME Volunteer time to help the public.Yes we have fun field trips and such but mostly you are to be available to give the UNIVERSITY's answers to questions. I think sometimes people get mad when we explain that this plant or that is a water hog or that a certain tree they want is an invasive and they get angry at the messenger not the message,as in anything.
REmember JFK's great speech "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."
Well,,,,, just change country to COUNTY.
This is something you can do to help your county and the people in it.
so what have I done,besides answering questions at the office phones, taught Kindergarteners about worm composting,taught it at an organic farm and elsewhere,take charge of the EARTH DAY MG booth,help at Gardenfest, Sebastians Clambake MG table, Fellsmere Frog Legg Festivals MG table etc
good luck

I'm in Hillsborough County and love our program. I've been a MG since 1996. This year I am mentoring 2 new MGs and was lucky to be able to sit in on most of their classes. It was a great learning experience but having said that there was also a lot of information over load that I knew no one would remember NOR would it be needed!
Hillsboro classes were linked to the poly com (?) "classroom". We were able to listen/see experts in their field from all over the state. When I went through the classes everything was "live" and in person. Their are pros and cons to each. And as said above each county is different.
Besides mentoring my newbies I help with Water Wise workshops/Rain Barrel/Compost (usually all 3 on Sat. morn), answer the phones (only for the brave so they say), give programs, EPCOT (lots of fun!), butterfly garden at a shelter.
Tomorrow is our summer plant swap. An excuse to get together and EAT... and see one another one last time before September.
I wouldn't give up being a MG for the world. I love it.

Go for it. I just graduated on June 3rd. It was 16 weeks & I loved it. Our class was so diverse. We all came from different backgrounds, but shared the love of gardening. We were lucky enough to have Mounts Botanical Garden as our classroom. Yes there are volunteer hours, but with all of the budget cutbacks the MGs do provide a valuable service.

Good luck & keep us posted.

Thanks so much for all your responses!!
I've been thinking about it all day and I'm gonna go ahead and do it. No better time than the present, especially since I'm still quasi-jobless. The one kinda daunting thing was the volunteer hours the first year, but based on what you've all said, there are various ways to fulfill them.

So come October I'll be the newest MG :D

I took the MG class this spring in Osceola Co. It was something that I have always wanted to do and when I retired in Jaunary it was the first thing I did for myself.
Our spring class was an experiment with the polycom feature and way different than the previous fall classes. It was a LOT of info to take in, but you are not expected to get it all. No way that you can absorb that much. But you also learn so much general and useful information. I loved taking the class. Classmates were great, made lots of friends, took some eyeopening field trips and I have started volunteering with plant clinc and plant sale, and I am even going to redesign our demonstration garden. I am so glad I took the class and look forward to many years of learning, sharing and volumteering. Take the class, you'll be glad you did. If I understand correctly, the fall classes will not be the polycom program, but the traditional class with more hands on learning experiences.
I plan on sitting in on these classes as well.

The Volunteer and CEU hours are really easy to accumulate .
I had all of mine in the first three months of this year and - at no cost to me except my time .
You have a full 12 months each year to get the hours after you fulfill the initial amount as a newbie .
There so many different ways to get hours that there really is something for everyone .
If you need ideas - just ask !
Congrats to all MGs .
Your job is more important than ever !