Become an Extension Master Gardener
Do You Enjoy Sharing Your Passion
For Gardening With Others?
If you would like to provide science-based, environmentally sound horticulture information to the community,
and have time to volunteer, you should consider becoming an Extension Master Gardener (EMG).
Training
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 is 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. Each trainee will have an Extension Master Gardener as a mentor who is available to provide support during class and throughout internship.
Requirements
Trainees are expected to complete an open-book exam at the end of the course and, afterwards as new interns, complete 50 hours of volunteer project service within one year. 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. A number of our projects are conducted in the evenings and on weekends, and some can be done at home, providing opportunities for volunteers who work to complete hour requirements.
Applying
Applications for the 2025 class are closed. We will be accepting applications for the 2026 in-person training class starting Fall 2025. If you are interested in learning more, please join us at one of the info sessions throughout the year or contact Nick Saylor, Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, at 434-872-4581, or email nickjs23@vt.edu.