If you enjoy being a volunteer educator, want to share your passion for gardening and provide science-based environmentally sound horticulture knowledge with others, and have time to volunteer – you should consider becoming an Extension Master Gardener (EMG)! To learn more about the training program including the topics we cover, the projects we support and what it means to volunteer, click here.
Training Program
The Albemarle-Charlottesville unit of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) trains a new group of Extension Master Gardeners every year. The training course includes approximately 70 hours of instruction taught by experts in various gardening areas such as soil, botany, integrated pest management, disease diagnosis, and more. In alternating years, the EMG training course will be offered either through in person instruction or in a hybrid format that includes virtual lectures interspersed with hands on workshops. Anyone interested in the course will need to complete an application and background screening prior to admission to the course. Each trainee will have an Extension Master Gardener as a mentor who is available to provide support during class and throughout internship and is required by VCE to complete an application and background screening prior to admission to the course.
Requirements
Trainees are expected to complete an exam at the end of the course, and afterwards, as new interns, complete 50 hours of volunteer project service within one year. Once completed, interns then become certified Extension Master Gardeners. Afterwards, they are then expected to give at least 20 hours of volunteer project service plus complete 8 hours of approved continuing education each year to remain active. Extension Master Gardeners must educate the public using science-based and research-based recommendations of VCE and may not use the Extension Master Gardener designation to promote commercial horticulture services.
Applying
The application deadline for the 2023 training class has passed. If you are interested in learning more about the 2024 class, please check back later in 2023.