Become a Master Gardener Volunteer!

Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting a training in 2026!

Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer? The Mission of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program is to train volunteers to teach others how to protect the environment and grow plants more effectively. Our MGV program is tailored towards educational classes and workshops for the public (with an emphasis on children and seniors) across a wide variety of topics. Many MGVs have a variety of talents and skills - no one is an expert at everything, but when combined, we make a well-rounded source of education.

Things We Look For:

The very first thing we look for in a prospective MGV is the ability to provide unbiased, research-based information and client-appropriate delivery methods, as this is the type of education the MGVs are already well known for. The fact that Master Gardener Volunteers are volunteers doesn’t diminish the credibility of information they provide others, the educational role they play in their communities, and the educational system they represent, being Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension. This is the most important aspect of the position.

In addition to unbiased, research-based learning, we also look for the following traits (not in any particular order):

• Basic gardening experience prior to the training course.
• An ability to learn new information - both practically applied information (such as pruning shrubs) and basic scientific principles (such as the importance of knowing an insect's life cycle in order to effectively control it as a garden pest).
• Ability to pass knowledge checks.
• Ability to present in front of an audience.
• A willingness, commitment, and time to volunteer in your community KNOWING the training is provided IN EXCHANGE FOR a commitment to volunteer as an MGV afterwards.
• Access to an email address and basic computer literacy skills.

Duties of a Master Gardener Volunteer:

Being an MGV is a big responsibility that requires a lot of time dedication. You must be willing to volunteer at least 50 hours per year and attend the monthly meetings (as of right now, held the second Thursday of every month at 10am with a gap in July and December, but this can be subject to change). The meetings are in person at our office on Route 22 but are also available via zoom. An absence from an MGV meeting must be documented with a reason - more than three absences in one year without reason will invoke termination from the program. You must also be able to pass a background check - this is to protect our vulnerable populations that you will be working with and is not optional.

What you are doing for your 50+ hours/year can vary. The meetings (which are two hours long and often include additional education) count towards these hours. These hours MUST be in line with the Master Gardener Volunteer mission to count.

The Master Gardener Volunteer Training:

The cost of the training is $250, which is a one-time purchase that will last the entirety of your MGV career. There will be two parts to the training - a Moodle online learning that will be done at home throughout the week, then a training at the end of the week (Saturday from 10-12) in person at our office to do activities based on what you learned and learn more from guest speakers. Instead of weather dates, the trainings will be held via zoom in lieu of an in person meeting.

Some of the wonderful things you'll learn throughout your training includes (but is not limited to):

• Adult learning and peer learning networks
• Community engagement and action projects
• Plant biology for gardeners
• Right plant, right place
• Beneficial insects
• Plant pathology
• Vegetable/fruit gardening
• Nutrition, food safety and security
• Lawn care and plant ecosystem services
• Integrated Pest Management
• Troubleshooting food crops & ornamental plants
• Composting
• Soil amendments & fertilizers
• Invasive species for gardeners
• Gardening in a warming world
• Youth development and school gardens

It's crucial to understand that this course does not produce volunteers who are ready to volunteer in every aspect of the highly technical field of horticultural science. It does, however, introduce them to all of the above topics (and more!) and teach them how to use their resources wisely.

If you are interested, reach out to Tia at vrl29@cornell.edu for an application!

Last updated November 13, 2025