Master Gardener Training

Role

Master Gardeners are a vital resource to the York County/Poquoson Extension Horticultural Program. These volunteers teach classes, answer horticultural inquiries, present programs, and diagnose plant diseases. Master Gardeners extend the resources of the land-grant university through their volunteer efforts.

Course Overview 

This year’s Master Gardener Training class is a 12-week virtual course August 17th – November 9th. Canvas course class assignments will be completed on your schedule before the required Wednesday evening zoom classes from 7:00pm-8:30pm. There will be optional in-person hands-on field trips.

Upon graduation the participant will return 50 hours of service to their local Virginia Cooperative Extension by participating in various Master Gardener services to the community such as answering horticulture questions at the help desk, conducting educational programs, leading a team, or providing support to other Master Gardeners in many other areas. To maintain Master Gardener status after the first year, each volunteer must complete 20 hours of service to the community and 8 hours of continuing education.

Course Fee

The cost is $160 with an application deadline of July 8th. Course fee includes a digital version of the training manual and a non-refundable background check fee of $12.50.  To receive a hard copy of the training manual, there is an additional fee of $49.65.

Classes cover some of the following topics:

• Insects
• Lawns
• Pruning
• Shrubs
• Soils
• Trees
• Vegetables