Hello!
I was guided to this form by the U of M Extension.
I looking for programs that connect people to garden mentors or resources for how to f...
Knowledgebase
Garden Mentor #891472
Asked January 10, 2025, 3:38 PM EST
Hello!
I was guided to this form by the U of M Extension.
I looking for programs that connect people to garden mentors or resources for how to find garden mentors. I posted in a number of MN garden groups as well as asking a master gardener that went through this program and the overwhelming response was to reach out to the U of M extension.
I recently purchased and moved onto a 12 acre property and will be starting gardens this year and hopefully even building an underground greenhouse. Although I have read books and done research on gardening (I have over 40 houseplants and had a deck garden with potted plants at my town house, so limited experience) I am hoping to find a mentor for gardening. In return they could spend as much time on the property as they want and share in the harvest and even hold classes on gardening here if they wanted. I am hoping to even make this a community garden in the future. I would love to take the master gardener classes myself but between the new farm and running a business I am a bit short on time...so that remains a future goal.
I am hoping to find someone with knowledge on :
Organic and regenerative methods
natural pest control
composting (we have chickens, ducks and horses)
companion gardens
pollinator gardens and native species
vegetables and fruit trees/bushes
flowers
Our hobby farm is in Hanover at the bottom tip of Crow Hassen park.
Thank you so much!
Allison Maurer
Hennepin CountyMinnesota
Expert Response
Allison, I appreciate your enthusiasm for gardening! My suggestion is to start small so you can be successful and grow from your experiences. Gardening is always a 'try it and see how it goes' experience. The master gardener program through the University of Minnesota does not have a mentor program as you are looking for. That said, gardeners love to share their knowledge with like-minded people. I suggest that you contact the master gardener group in your county, Hennepin, and you will likely find some people interested in answering your questions and giving you guidance. Here is a link for more information: https://hennepinmastergardeners.org/