Cooperative Extension

Chesterfield County Master Gardener Program Information

The Master Gardener (MG) volunteer program is designed to meet the ever increasing needs of the public for home gardening information.  This program allows the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) to better serve clientele with questions regarding trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, and lawns.
Trainees will receive over 50 hours of horticultural training from Extension Agents, local specialists and advanced Master Gardeners.  Classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during February and March of each year.  It is desirable that applicants have previous knowledge or experience in gardening.

Trainees become certified Master Gardeners upon completing at least 50 hours of volunteer service to the community, which is to be completed by October 31st of the training year. Official certificates of recognition and identification badges are presented at graduation in November. 

To maintain certification after completing the initial training, Master Gardeners must volunteer at least 20 hours and complete at least 8 hours of continuing education annually.

• Download the Chesterfield County Master Gardener program brochure (PDF)
• Download the Master Gardener Application (PDF),
• or call the Extension Office at 751-4401for more information

Volunteer Program

Many different activities are offered to accommodate the varying interests of Master Gardener candidates:

Telephone consultation - Answering the public’s question on home horticulture over the telephone at the Extension Office.

Gardening clinics - Answering questions and diagnosing problems at garden centers, community events and fairs.

Fairs - Participating in clinics, and judging at county or state fairs.

Lawn program - Make visits to homeowners to sample lawn and measure their lawn for the Grass Roots Program.

Service to all - Serving the urban gardening community through personal contacts, including seniors, disadvantaged and the handicapped. Your participation in this program assists Virginia Cooperative Extension to achieve greater outreach of its program and service to the citizens of Chesterfield County.

Master Gardeners Take Trip to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens