Take Your Master Gardener Knowledge to the Next Level
The Texas Master Gardener Advanced Training Program gives certified Master Gardeners the opportunity to receive in-depth training in specialized areas of horticulture.
After completing the required Advanced Training course and fulfilling the associated service requirements, participants can earn recognition as a Texas Master Gardener Advanced Training Specialist.
Advanced Training Specialists bring their additional knowledge back to their local Master Gardener program, helping provide research-based education to our communities.
What Is Advanced Training?
Advanced Training classes provide specialized, in-depth education beyond the training required to become a certified Texas Master Gardener.
Training opportunities may include topics such as:
- Entomology
- Plant Propagation
- Vegetable Gardening
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Irrigation Efficiency
- Earth-Kind® Landscaping
- Greenhouse Management
- Trees and Tree Care
- Junior Master Gardener
- Composter Training
- Other specialized horticulture topics offered through the Texas Master Gardener Program
Available topics, locations and training requirements may vary from year to year.
Who Is Eligible for Advanced Training?
Advanced Training is not the same as regular continuing education. Because these programs provide specialized instruction and often have limited enrollment, BCMGA members must meet certain requirements before attending.
To be considered for an Advanced Training opportunity, a member must:
- Be a certified Texas Master Gardener for at least one full year before becoming eligible for their first Advanced Training.
- Be a certified member in good standing with the Big Country Master Gardener Association.
- Be current on required volunteer service and continuing education hours.
- Receive approval through the BCMGA Advanced Training Lead before applying or registering.
- Meet any additional prerequisites established for the specific training.
- Be willing to use the knowledge gained to support BCMGA and educational programs within our community.
Please do not register for an Advanced Training program before receiving local approval.
One Advanced Training at a Time
Members may work toward only one Advanced Training Specialist designation at a time.
Before becoming eligible to attend a second Advanced Training program, a member must complete all obligations associated with their previous Advanced Training.
This includes completing the required volunteer service, properly recording those hours in VMS, submitting the required documentation and completing any other requirements necessary to earn the Advanced Training Specialist designation.
Only after the previous Advanced Training obligation has been completed may a member be considered for another Advanced Training opportunity.
Limited Training Opportunities
Meeting all eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee approval to attend an Advanced Training program.
BCMGA wants to develop specialists in a variety of subject areas while also providing Advanced Training opportunities to as many eligible members as possible.
For this reason, BCMGA may:
- Limit the number of BCMGA members approved for a particular Advanced Training specialty.
- Give priority to training areas where BCMGA has a greater need for additional specialists.
- Consider how many BCMGA members are already trained or currently working toward a particular specialty.
- Limit participation to one person per household for the same Advanced Training session.
Two members from the same household may not attend the same Advanced Training class at the same time.
These guidelines help us make the best use of available training opportunities while developing a diverse group of Advanced Training Specialists who can serve BCMGA and our community.
How Do I Apply?
If you see an Advanced Training opportunity you would like to attend, follow these steps:
1. Review the Training Information
Carefully review the training announcement, including:
- Topic
- Dates and times
- Location
- Cost
- Prerequisites
- Application deadline
- Training and service requirements
2. Contact Jo Rake, BCMGA Advanced Training Lead
Before registering or submitting an application, contact Jo Rake, BCMGA Advanced Training Lead, and let her know which Advanced Training you are interested in attending.
Jo will help verify that you meet BCMGA’s eligibility requirements and guide you through the local approval process.
3. Receive Approval
Once you receive local approval, you may complete the application or registration process for the Advanced Training program.
Keep in mind that BCMGA approval does not necessarily guarantee acceptance into the class. Some Advanced Training programs have limited enrollment or their own selection process.
4. Complete the Training
If accepted, participants are expected to attend and complete all required portions of the Advanced Training program.
Becoming an Advanced Training Specialist
Attending the Advanced Training class is only the first step toward earning the Advanced Training Specialist designation.
After completing the training, participants must fulfill the additional requirements established for that specialty, including the required volunteer service related to their area of specialization.
Depending on the specialty, service may include activities such as:
- Teaching or assisting with educational programs
- Giving presentations or demonstrations
- Helping with workshops and community outreach
- Writing educational articles or materials
- Supporting approved demonstration or educational projects
- Assisting with programs related to your specialty
- Sharing your specialized knowledge with fellow Master Gardeners and the public
All required service and documentation must be completed within the timeframe established for the Advanced Training program.
Tracking Your Advanced Training Service
It is important to keep accurate records of your Advanced Training service as you complete it.
Record Your Hours in VMS
All volunteer service completed toward your Advanced Training Specialist requirements must be entered into the Volunteer Management System (VMS).
When entering these hours:
- Select the designated Advanced Training project for your specialty.
- Enter your volunteer service hours as you normally would.
- Include complete remarks describing the work performed.
- Keep track of the number of contacts reached through your Advanced Training service when applicable.
Using the correct Advanced Training project in VMS is important because it allows BCMGA to identify the hours that are being completed specifically toward your specialist designation.
Do not enter Advanced Training service under a general project if a designated Advanced Training project has been provided for your specialty.
Keep Track of Your Contacts
In addition to your volunteer hours, you will need to track the number of people you reach through your Advanced Training service.
Contacts may include people who attend a presentation, participate in a program, receive educational assistance or are otherwise reached through your approved Advanced Training activities.
Keeping this information as you go will make completing your final documentation much easier.
Completing Your Advanced Training Obligation
Once you have completed the required service for your specialty, there is one final step.
You will need to complete the required Advanced Training service documentation form.
On this form, you will report information including:
- Your Advanced Training specialty
- The volunteer service you completed
- The amount of time spent completing Advanced Training-related service
- The number of contacts reached through your service
- Any additional information required for verification of your Advanced Training obligation
Your VMS entries and final service documentation should accurately reflect the work completed toward your Advanced Training Specialist designation.
Once your required service, VMS entries and final documentation have been completed and approved, you can receive recognition as an Advanced Training Specialist in that subject area.
Your Advanced Training obligation is not considered complete until all required service and documentation have been submitted.
Advanced Training Is More Than a Title
The purpose of Advanced Training is not simply to earn another designation.
BCMGA members who are given the opportunity to participate in these specialized programs are expected to bring what they learn back to our Association and put that knowledge to work.
Advanced Training Specialists help strengthen BCMGA by:
- Serving as a local resource in their specialty
- Sharing knowledge with fellow Master Gardeners
- Assisting with educational programs and demonstrations
- Supporting Extension programming
- Helping answer horticultural questions from the public
- Providing research-based horticultural education throughout our community
The ultimate goal is to expand the knowledge and educational resources available through the Big Country Master Gardener Association.
Interested in Advanced Training?
Watch for announcements about upcoming Advanced Training opportunities throughout the year.
If you find a training that interests you, contact Jo Rake, BCMGA Advanced Training Lead, before applying or registering.
Jo can help determine:
- Whether you meet the eligibility requirements
- Whether BCMGA currently needs additional specialists in that area
- Whether you have completed any previous Advanced Training obligations
- Whether there are available BCMGA openings for that particular training
- What steps you need to take to apply
Advanced Training is a wonderful opportunity to grow your knowledge, serve your fellow Master Gardeners and bring valuable horticultural expertise back to our Big Country community.