The Oregon Master Gardener™ Association is a statewide, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to enhance and support the OSU Master Gardener™ program’s focus on sustainable, research-based information for home gardeners. Representatives from county Master Gardener associations comprise the governing Board of Directors which meets quarterly. Elected and appointed members serve on the Executive Board which meets quarterly before the general board meeting. In addition, OMGA sponsors a newsletter titled The Gardener’s Pen; holds an annual education conference, the Joy of Gardening; provides grants to chapters and extension staff, and also celebrates individual and chapter accomplishments with annual awards.
Mission:
We are committed to sustainable gardening through:
- Partnering with OSU to promote and support the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program.
- Advocating for funding to deliver the Master Gardener Program across Oregon.
- Fostering quality continuing education of all Master Gardener volunteers; and
- Providing support and guidance for county Master Gardener chapters.
2025 Goals Click to read more
Leadership – OMGA has an executive board comprised of elected and appointed officers. The elected officers, President, Vice President, President Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary are eligible to vote. The Past President serves as an ex officio member. Non-voting appointed members include Historian, Newsletter Editor, and Data Base Manager. The Statewide Master Gardener Program Manager serves as an advisor to OMGA.
History – In 1976, building upon a successful pilot program by Dr. David Gibby of Washington State University Cooperative Extension in 1973, OSU Extension Agents Gray Thompson (Clackamas County) and Duane Hatch (Lane County), launched pilot programs. The primary goals were to recruit and train volunteer staff who could multiply the educational efforts of local Extension offices and provide unbiased, research-based gardening information to the public.
Oregon’s Master Gardener Program quickly expanded to other counties. By 1982, the Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA) was formed to serve as a statewide network for county chapters, facilitating communication, education, and funding for projects. OMGA was incorporated in 1985.The Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA), which organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1985, is the network by which county MG chapters
communicate, educate, and fund projects.