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Master Gardener Programs
Who Are Extension Master Gardeners?
Virginia Master Gardeners are volunteer educators who work within their communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices though sustainable landscape management education and training.
As an educational program of Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Master Gardener's bring the resource of Virginia's land grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University to the people of the commonwealth.
Goals
Extension Master Gardeners work specifically toward the following goals:
- Enhancing the environment through sustainable landscape practices.
- Producing food in public and private gardens to improve human nutrition and food security.
- Using horticulture and landscaping to positively impact youth and improve the overall quality of life for Virginia's Citizens.
Applications are being accepted through Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. The training program begins in late January 2021. You can download an application and cover letter or call 804-751-4401.
If your application is accepted, you will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator who will schedule an virtual interview with you before the end of November.
Questions
Call the Extension Office at 804-751-4401 or email the Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Training Details
- There is a $200 fee to cover costs of training materials. (Price subject to change)
- Classes will be held from January to March 2021.
- Classes will take place virtually on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning at 9:00 a.m.
- Monday & Tuesday classes will be in cooperation with other VCE units in the Richmond area.
- Thursday classes will be specific to Chesterfield County Programs.
- Class sessions will be recorded in the event that you miss a live session.
- if conditions allow, the class may include field trips during the spring of 2021.
After completing classroom training, participants serve a 50-hour internship with the Extension Office and help conduct educational programs for the general public.
Horticulture Aspects Covered
The Master Gardener volunteer training program includes all aspects of horticulture, including the following
- Annuals, Bulbs, and Perennials
- Attracting Beneficial Wildlife
- Botany and Propagation
- Home Fruit and Indoor Plants
- IPM and Pesticide Safety
- Landscape Design
- Plant Disease
- Pruning
- Soils and Composting
- Vegetable Gardening
- Water Quality
- Weeds
Volunteer projects provide guidance on sustainable landscapes. Volunteers can conduct plant clinics at local nurseries, farmer’s markets and garden centers. They can also oversee teaching and demonstration gardens and staff the VCE Master Gardener Help Desk.
Special Projects
Locally, Chesterfield Extension Master Gardeners make a difference by participating in specific projects including:
- Gardening Classes: Short seminars on numerous gardening topics either for local organizations or to the public at local libraries
- Grass Roots Lawn Care Program: Personalized lawn care recommendations based on a site evaluation and soil test.
- Landscape for Life Program: A six-week series on landscape design, sustainability and maintenance.
- Learn your Landscape Program: Site evaluation and information about residents' back yards.