Become an Extension Master Gardener
Do You Enjoy Sharing Your Passion
For Gardening With Others?
If 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).
Training
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.
Applying
We will be accepting applications for the 2025 online training class starting September 2nd, 2024. The applications deadline is December 1st, 2024. If you are interested in learning more about the 2025 online 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.
Upcoming Info Sessions
September 6
12pm-1pm at Northside Library Meeting Room.
705 Rio Road West
September 11
2pm-3pm at Gordon Ave Library.
1500 Gordon Ave
September 20
11:30am-12pm at Scottsville Library. 330 Bird Street, Scottsville
September 24
6pm-7:30pm via Zoom. Click here to Register
September 26
6pm-7:30pm via Zoom. Click here to Register