Become a Master Gardener Volunteer
Do you love to garden? Enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? Become a Master Gardener volunteer!
Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners (VCE-MGs) are volunteers with Extension dedicated to working with the community to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management educational Programs. VCE-MGs are prepared for their volunteer service by attending over 50 hours of training. In Chesterfield County, VCE-MG training is held once a year and meets for eight weeks in February and March. Classes are scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. After training is complete, new students complete 50 hours of volunteer service before graduation in November.
Here are just a few of the subjects in which we educate the public:
- Environmentally-friendly lawn care
- Vegetable gardening and gardening in small spaces
- Proper pruning
- Plant selection (right plant, right place)
- Protecting pollinators
- Gardening for wildlife
VCE-MGs volunteer in a number of different venues, including:
- Master Gardener Help Desk - plant diagnosis and gardening information
- Clinics - Informational tables at local garden centers
- Grass Roots - our environmentally-sustainable approach to lawn care, with a site evaluation and soil sample by a Master Gardener
- Gardening for Chesterfield Residents Program - a visit with a Master Gardener on site to help you learn about your landscape
- Fairs and other Events - opportunities to share educational resources with the public
- Public Seminars - classes just for you on the subjects most requested
To learn more about becoming a Master Gardener volunteer, please call our office at (804) 751-4401 or visit the Virginia Master Gardener™ Program homepage. To apply to be a Master Gardener volunteer in Chesterfield County, download our program brochure and application.