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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 October 25. The training program begins in late January 2020. You can download an application (PDF) or complete application online.
If your application is accepted, you will be contacted by the Master Gardener Coordinator who will schedule an in-person interview with you before the end of November.
Questions
Call the Master Gardeners at 804-751-4401 or email the Master Gardeners for more information.
Training Details
- There is a $215 fee to cover costs of training materials. (Price subject to change)
- Classes are held every year starting February through March.
- Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Classes meet at various locations to including:
- Botanical Gardens
- Greenhouses
- Local Universities
- Nurseries
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.