If you enjoy sharing your passion for gardening with others and 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). To learn more about the training program, including the topics we cover, the projects we support, and what it means to be a volunteer educator, 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.
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. 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
We will be accepting applications for the 2025 hybrid training class starting September 2nd, 2024. The applications deadline is December 1st, 2024. If you are interested in learning more about the 2025 hybrid class, please join us at one of the info session listed below or contact Nick Saylor, Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, at 434-872-4581, or email nickjs23@vt.edu.
To be notified when the next Master Gardener Training Class application opens, please join the waitlist.
Master Gardener Training Class Application Waitlist
Info Sessions
Sept 6th, 12pm-1pm at Northside Library. Meeting Room. 705 Rio Road West
Sept 11th, 2pm-3pm at Gordon Ave Library. 1500 Gordon Avenue
Sept 20th, 11:30am-12pm at Scottsville Library. 330 Bird Street
Sept 24th, 6pm-7:30pm via Zoom Register
Sept 26th, 6pm-7:30pm via Zoom Register