Updated 1/06/2025
Direct to you from the class of 2024
New Master Gardener volunteers who completed their internship requirements last year and long-time volunteers who mentor interns share their advice on how to meet all of the first-year requirements and make the most of your first year as an RCMG volunteer.
Here is their advice for tackling your first year. You can click on each suggestion to read their full comments.
Expect the Unexpected
FROM: Judith Graziano, class of 2023
Congratulations on becoming a RCMG intern! You signed up for an exciting year of community, service, and learning. Hopefully this year will lead to many more opportunities for you to learn and share your expertise as you gain confidence doing so.
I joined the program because of my interest in pollinator and native gardening, and because I believe in life-long learning. Another goal of mine is to actively protect our waterways.
As it turned out, I was able to participate in planning and development of a native pollinator project with a wonderful mentor. That project not only gave me hands on experience identifying the difference between weeds that needed to be pulled and beneficial native sedge grasses (which are hard to discern when they are just emerging) but also an opportunity to learn about the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD).
Since the pollinator project was located in a St. Paul and under the jurisdiction of the St. Paul Department of Parks and Recreation, we initially needed approval from them. Once we obtained that, we needed to submit their approval to the RWMWD, which is a special purpose governmental unit responsible for protecting the water resources of the watershed, located in the eastern portion of Ramsey County and the western edge of Washington County. Working through that application process helped me understand more about the RWMDW, including its grants to residents, businesses, government partners and nonprofit groups to install practices on their properties that benefit clean water and natural habitat. Yes, that means money for projects in your own backyard!
So, who would have known that one project could involve so much enrichment for two areas I care deeply about. Enjoy your time and expect the unexpected!
Get involved early
FROM: Ann Pineles, class of 2024
I strongly urge all volunteers to get involved in their volunteer work as early as possible in the process. I waited until then end, and thankfully did some work that I really enjoyed. It was at that point that I realized I’d missed a lot of opportunities earlier in the summer and fall.
Being one of those people who obsesses on weather, I tend to become despondent when we face droughts. I’m really looking forward to volunteering next year with people who share common interests and concerns. It will provide me more direction and make my efforts more meaningful.
Best to the new interns. I learned so much more in the course itself than I thought I would!
Find opportunities that are energizing
FROM: Kelly Lafferty, class of 2024
The most important thing for me this past year, as a first year intern and a parent working full time, was to make sure that I found opportunities that were energizing to me and met my schedule needs. I spent the most time volunteering on projects I could do from home, such as growing plants for the plant sale, growing vegetables to donate to gardens for good and doing seed trials. These were all really fun activities that still allowed me to meet many new people in the program but also fit the work in around my schedule.
Some of the other activities I really enjoyed were helping with community garden care in the evenings, and helping at the Barn demonstration gardens. These were fun because I was able to spend dedicated time with some really brilliant and experienced gardeners who shared their knowledge and excitement for the work.
All around, trying many different opportunities and not being afraid of asking any and all questions is my general advice. I look at this program as a way to engage in a lifelong hobby and passion. In the coming years, I hope to branch out more and try more community-facing events as my confidence grows and schedule opens up.
Best of luck!
Meet Other Interns and Master Gardeners
FROM: Cathy Miller, class of 2024
Welcome 2025 Interns to the Ramsey County Master Gardener Program!
You will discover you are joining a great program with fantastic people and rewarding volunteer
opportunities. I completed my intern year in 2024 and have some suggestions that might be
helpful as you navigate your first year.
In your first months, focus on the core course. It is helpful to get through the course before
spring arrives so you can focus on the fun volunteer projects. There is a lot of material, and you
do not need to be an expert on any topic. Keep in mind you can use your notes and look back
at the materials for the quizzes.
Throughout the year, there will be Ramsey County Master Gardener (RCMG) meetings and
team meetings. Attending meetings provides you with an excellent opportunity to meet other
interns and master gardeners and learn more about the program. By attending my team
meetings, I learned about one of our team’s initiatives, the ARTS-Us Community Garden.
Working with youth and fellow gardeners at the ARTS-Us Garden became one of my favorite
volunteer activities. Many of the same gardeners volunteered each week and it was fun working
with and learning from them.
Plan to attend the Project Fair in March so you can learn more about volunteer projects, meet
project team leaders and connect with other volunteers. Learning about the volunteer activities
at the Fair will help you make choices when the volunteer sign up emails begin coming your way
in the spring. One of the projects I learned about at the Fair was the Aldrich Arena Rain
Gardens. It was one of the first volunteer activities I signed up for and enjoyed working on this
important community project throughout the summer.
Your intern year will go fast – do not hesitate to ask questions of your mentor, team leaders, and
other gardeners and have fun!