$125 I cannot afford, sadly for me.

$95 in Northern New York

Our cost was $65 for 10 three hour evening classes. The cost was mainly to pay for the huge book which is a wonderful resource. We had 3 guest speakers and since the end of the class we have had a presentation on medicinal botanicals given by 2 guys from the local college.

Probably the most valuable thing about it is during breaks and after classes/presentaions when some just get together and talk, ask questions, and share experiences. Well worth the money!

In our county it is $150. That includes the books, class and the shirt/nametag at the end.

I'm just finishing my MG course in central NY. The cost of the program was $120 which included the book (yes, a valuable resource) and the cost of the classes( 12 spread out over 2 spring seasons) of 2 1/2 -3 hours each. I just took my final test last night and now need to finish my volunteer hours. In this county (Oneida) they allow you to split the cost over the course of the 2 years, $60 down the first year and the balance the following year.

I'm near certain it was a flat $50, which included the classes and a manual. The more I read of MG programs, the more surprised I am at how widely they vary in most every way.

I've just completed my MG course. It was $75 for the very large manual and classes. I see where "rouan" had to take a final test. We did not have tests. No shirt or nametag, either.

Claudia

The cost in eastern Pennsylvania is a materials fee of $85. I'm not enrolled yet (hope to pass admissions muster) so I don't know what materials they're referring to, but presumably they will include a manual.

Thanks to everyone who answered. The price here two years ago was $65. There were no classes in our area last year. I've heard that the price for classes this fall will be $200. I'm afraid that cost is going to eliminate a lot of good prospects. Don't know how we can increase our group or replace the dropouts at that rate.

It was like $195 for the class here last fall. I really am glad I took the class it was well worth the money. Now I am doing my volenteer hours which is 40 to finish my class requierments. I already have 35 done since I graduated on Jan 3,2005. I am so excited about this all of the master gardening and working toward getting my Advanced Master Gardeners. That will take me a while but hope to finish it within a few months.
Gardenmaker79

It's $100 here (though there are scholarships available), plus the cost of Livescanning (in our county, you can't volunteer without being fingerprinted). That includes 12 seven-hour classes, the CA MG handbook, and other information (pamphlets and other class handouts, plus articles to be printed out from our own computers), but we're also strongly encouraged to buy a variety of (discounted, but still expensive) other reference materials in order to serve our clients better.

Also, on graduation from the class, we're expected to buy some kind of logo apparel to wear in addition to our badge, when representing the program. The cheapest is a $3 lanyard--there are also aprons, baseball caps, shirts, jackets, etc.

In addition to taking the classes, we have to put in 200 volunteer hours (we have 3 years to fulfill this requirement) before we're full Master Gardeners. This gives us hands on experience to supplement the classes.

$60 in NE Arkansas for class and book. Classes were 5-8hr Saturdays in Jan & early Feb. Have to do 40 hrs work and 20 hrs learning your first year or you have to give back book. After 1st year, you do 20 work and 20 learning hours per year to maintain membership. We had 4-5 segments a day and guest speakers almost every class. It was great. I've been in 3 months now.

$140 here in Middle Georgia. Got a huge reference manual and a lot of lectures. Classes started in mid January and finished in mid-April. Classes were every Monday and Wednesday from 1-4PM.

I completed classes back in April and am working on my volunteer hours now. 50 hours are required in the first year, 30 every year after.

Wow. I figured it varied, but I am shocked by how much.

Here in Nashville, it's $125 for the class, which includes a huge manual and your name badge after you've finished your 40 hours of volunteer work. You are required to attend at least 10 of the classes to be considered a Master Gardener. We took 15 three-hour classes, each one taught by a guest lecturer who was usually a Ph.D, and we also had two or three practicums/workshops where we went somewhere and watched a demonstration or had an opportunity for some hands-on. No test, though. Shirts and other identifying wear are available, but you have to pay for those yourself.

I believe you have to do 40 hours of volunteer every year to keep your status active, but I'm not 100% certain about that one. I just graduated in April, so still learning.

200 hours! I'd never be able to get 100 hours of volunteer work done while still holding a full-time job. That's at least one full 8 or 9 hour day every month. You'd definitely have to be dedicated.

It was $298 for the 2004/2005 class here in CT, plus 145 hours volunteer time - 85 hours of formal classroom training and 60 hours of supervised in-service training.

South Carolina $125 + commitment to do $40. Large manual and other texts, refresments at classes, a couple of field trips. Expensive, but after 3 classes looks like it will be worth it. I am on a fixed imcome but was told well in advance about the fee.

It's $150.00 in Galveston County, Texas. Worth every penny. Great speakers from Texas A&M and a huge binder full of information. By the time you finish all your class you will be able to fill 2 more large binders with paperwork handed out. $50.00 will be refunded after you put in your 50 volunteer hours.

I'm currently taking my MG in Alberta, Can. It was about $400.00 US and runs one 8 hour day/week from beginning of Mar until the end of June, (128 hrs. class time). We then have 80 hrs. of volunteer work to do. So far, so good.

Shauna

I think it's free here. I'm considering taking the courses. I work weekends as a nursery consultant at our local big box store, so having volunteer time open isn't a problem.

So.. what do you think? By the wording, it seems that you pay for your courses by volunteering. Maybe I'm wrong.

Here is a link that might be useful: Brazoria County Master Gardener

In Central NY where I am, it's $130 for classes, manual and all materials.

Maryland's MG course was $165 + forty hours service. Every new workshop you attend costs another fee. Although I'm glad I took the training, I still stand by my first reaction to hearing the fee:

"DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PLANTS I COULD BUY WITH THAT?"

pAT

In Lancaster Co, PA, it's $75.00.

In east-central Alabama, $100 for 12 six hour classes from January to April. Every Wednesday with a good lunch provided by one or two students each week. Only 15 started the class and 13 finished. Five 'interns' have already completed the 40 hour requirement. I only have 16 so far (gotta get on the ball).

The cost for Phila. County is $145.00, plus 40 minimum volunteer hours thereafter the first year.

DB...all programs have some fee and all require extra volunteer hours in addition to the cost for the classes. It wouldn't hurt to call your contact number to get factual information concerning cost and volunteer hours.

sunny43, I really like the idea they have where you took your master gardening class. The refund after compleatting the class sounds like a great idea and gets people to want to finish there volenteer hours to become a master gardener. I am going to approuch our Extention office with this idea. We have had only 2 out of 30+ students finish there volenteer hours so far. It's been over 7 months and the time is going so fast and will soon run out. I sure hope more of my class can compeat there hours befor its to late. Thanks for sharing that information with the rest of us.

Our MG classes cost $770 CDN and include 6 hours of classroom work a week for 3 months, followed by an open book exam. We have had two classes of 16 students each per year. And we still have had waiting lists for people wanting to take the course. After completing the course, our MG-in-training have 18 months to do 60 volunteer hours, of which 40 must be advice hours before they are certified. We use the Sustainable Gardening manual produced by the U. of Oregon and Washington, since we are all part of the pacific northwest in terms of climate.

I graduated in 1980 and the classes were free then. Later I heard they went to $50 and a manual was included. I think our initial hours were 50 to be certified and 25 per year after that. Now most hours are required as phone duty. I have never done one minute of phone duty and am a Lifetime Master Gardener. Can anyone tell me what that title means?

In Montgomery County, TX we pay 150$ for 12 full day, very high quality classes, the majority of which are led by PhD. types. We get an ID badge which very clearly spells out INTERN and at least one 3" binder full of information. We are asked to bring snacks for the group one day (our group was 53) and to buy a 15$ shirt to wear at any public engagement. We are required to put in 60 hours in specific areas the first 9 months and 30 hours (and a 15$ fee) every year thereafter.

150 here and worth every penny for me!!

Here in Cincinnati (Hamilton CO., OH) the cost is $250, with 40 hours volunteer service your first year and an annual commitment to in-class and volunteer hours to maintain your certification.

$65 for 14 3-hr classes and book

I'm taking the course now in Atlanta; the cost was $115 for 20 2-and-a-half hour classes (two a week), plus a big thick book geared to our area and another binder with pesticide information, and a nametag and lanyard and little lens to look at soil and whatnot. we have to do 50 hours within a year to "graduate," and 30 a year thereafter. Also, we have to pass a cumulative test with at least 70% correct. We have great lecturers, mostly different for each class, and we have 22 students per county. 4 or 5 counties all meet at the same place, so our class has something like 90-100 people.

Here in Louisiana the cost last fall was $100 which included the manual. It was a 10 week class with a three hour class each week... during this period we also had 2 labs that were 4 hours each. We are required to put in 40 volunteer hours the first year and 20 thereafter to maintain our certification plus we are also required to have so many hours (don't remember exactly how many at this moment)of continuing education per year.

I would highly recommend the class to everyone... I came out knowing a lot more than I did when I started. We had so many wonderful experts in the field that came in and taught us over this period of time.

Want to say 'thanks' again to everyone who has chimed in on this question. The latest news from Penn State is that the state coordinator is going to take over the training on a statewide basis. The plan is to offer classes by satellite tv and to make the charges the same statewide. I'm hoping that this really happens. The classes were offered here at $75 two years ago, then no classes were offered for one year. When they resumed the cost was $200. There was no reason for such a jump and I hope this latest plan will do away with such practices. Up until now the local county extension offices could make their own plans and demands. If this situation comes to an end, it will be better for everyone involved and we can go back to recruiting new people.
Carol

OK well here....LOL

I like that when people say "here" ;-)

In this case, here would be CT = Connecticut = here (for searching purposes,eh)

The word according to UCONN - seems the local aggie (CAES) does NOT have a Master Gardener (MG) program. Kind of disappointing.

(Quote)
Thank you for your interest in the UCONN Cooperative Extension System Master Gardener Program. Students enrolled in this program receive training in botany, plant pathology, soils, entomology, pesticide safety, integrated pest management (IPM), woody ornamentals, herbaceous ornamentals, vegetables, tree and small fruits, turf grass, invasive plants, water quality, environmental factors affecting plant growth, and diagnostic techniques for the home gardener.

Becoming a Certified Cooperative Extension Master Gardener requires a completion of:

 145 hours  85 hours of formal classroom training & 60 hours of supervised in-service training.

 At least 30 in-service hours (mentioned above) to be conducted in one of the nine teaching locations during

weekday business hours, answering gardening inquiries; the remaining 30 hours through approved educational

outreach activities.

 16 classes are held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, one full day per week from January through April.

 A written, open book exam, given before beginning the in-service phase of the program.

 All office and outreach hours completed by September 30, 2007.

 Tree/Shrub/Vine identification collection due by August 31, 2007.

 Attendance of at least one summer diagnostic session.

 A final practicum exam at the conclusion of the in-service training.

The charge for the program is $350.00, plus a $50.00 manual fee for each participant. Scholarships are available based on financial need. Enrollment is limited and competitive, so please be complete in filling out the application. We need the requested information to evaluate your talents and volunteer commitment. We may telephone or conduct personal interviews to elicit more information.
(/Quote)

$90 plus 5 weeks of class 6-9pm Tue. & Thurs. A written test and a 12 station hands on test. 40 hours of volunteer work.

Leasa
Eastport, Maine
Washington County

We are starting a class in February with 35 (filled class) the cost is $80 or $105 if a couple and they share MG book, binder and related materials. (That way if one has to miss the other can usually come and take notes). We do 12 weeks of 3 hour classes and 1 Saturday of pruning class. We only require 25 hours but I tell them our gardening hours are much shorter than some states. No shirts, name tags. We tell them we are going to give them information on a lot of subjects by many great teachers and then they can continue from there in learning.

Here in Utah the cost of Master Gardener classes vary from county to county.
All are 40 hours with 40 hours community service.
The class I took was $100.00, while the neighboring county is $125.00.

I'm starting the class next month. The cost is $120.00 for 11 weeks of 4 hour classes. Then there is the volunteer time.
I had wondered if the class was worth the cost. I know I'll enjoy it but the cost plus the travel will put a crunch on my budget. Like so many other things in life. While I was working I didn't have the time. Now I have time but can barely afford it. LOL, such is life.
Very good to see such positive reports on people's feelings about the classes. I'm real anxious to get started.

I'm starting my course Tuesday. The cost is $70. It's a twelve week course, we have to do volunteer hours* and we also have a final exam which, IIRC, you have to score better than 70 on.

I'm really excited about this!

*I am already planning on working an apprenticeship at the local herb farm to get most of those hours

I just took the class last year, at it cost $60. for 30 hours of classes, and then the 30 volunteer hours. It was a fantastic experience!

I just finished the classes for 2006-2007 the cost was $100 I think part of the cost may be for the classroom space rental of course for the book I am in the Allegheny and Westmoreland county program. I learned a lot and met a lot of nice people. Patty

I just finished the 2006-2007 class (actually my final exam is in two days) and it was 60 hours and cost $250.00. Now I have to volunteer for 60 hours.

I am going to be taking the class in September here in Des Moines, Iowa. The classes are all done through Iowa State University, so 2/3 of the classes are done as live broadcasts to the extension offices throughout the state.

The cost is $150.00 for 40 hours of class and 40 hours of service the first year. After that 6 hours of courses and 6 of service are required each year.

Quite a few folks around here do all their volunteer time at the famous Iowa State Fair, by helping out with the planting in the ISU gardens area, and at the ISU Extension Booth.