Passionate about gardening? Passionate about volunteering?
Toronto Master Gardeners might be just the group for you.
The first step in the annual recruitment process is a no-charge one-hour entrance exam to assess your basic gardening knowledge. The only test date this year is September 16. There’s no fee or registration required. All are welcome to apply.
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- 7 pm, Monday, September 16, 2019
- Toronto Botanical Garden
- 777 Lawrence Avenue East at Leslie
The test is to determine you have a basic knowledge of gardening. You are not expected to be an expert or to know every category. There is no formal preparation for the test but to get an idea of the categories that may be covered, have a look here:
The test comprises multiple choice and true/false questions. There are deductions for wrong answers and a score of at least 50% is required to pass. One hour is the allotted time to write the test. If you don’t pass the test you can take it again next September.
Upon passing the test, you will participate in a 20-minute personal interview to assess your commitment to public service and volunteerism – critical to success as a Master Gardener. The interviews will be held at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
As a successful recruit, you will begin your apprenticeship in January 2020. That’s either 2 or 3 years as a Master Gardener in Training, depending on how long it takes you to complete the educational requirements.
Those educational requirements include completing courses from the University of Guelph Open Learning or Dalhousie University. If you already have a solid horticultural background, you may have the option of writing a certification exam. Full details are available here:
All Master Gardeners and Master Gardeners in Training must fulfill annual volunteer obligations, some of which include:
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- Provide at least 30 hours of approved volunteer service;
- Attend a minimum of four Toronto Master Gardener monthly meetings;
- Undertake approved continuing education activities.
Volunteering as a Master Gardener is educational, fun, and personally rewarding. We’d love to have you with us!
For even more information, contact training@torontomastergardeners.ca.