Who are Extension Master Gardeners?
Extension Master Gardeners are trained volunteer educators. They work within their local communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management education and training.
As an educational outreach component of Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Master Gardener program brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities – Virginia Tech and Virginia State University – to the people of the commonwealth.
All volunteers are trained and have at least 50 hours of horticultural classes and return at least 50 hours of volunteer community service through their local Extension office.
Learn more about the Virginia Cooperative Extension:
Community Outreach
Virginia Cooperative Extension was established in 1914 and is a partnership between Virginia’s two land grant universities: Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. Today, Extension operates out of 107 offices, 11 Agricultural Research and Extension centers, and six 4-H centers across the commonwealth. Our agents, specialists, and volunteers work to assist farmers, empower youth, guide responsible resource management, and advance the well-being of all Virginians.
Fairies and Friends
Native Plant Seed Starting Workshop
Plant Sales
Gardening Classes
4-H Schoolyard Habitats
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services, or other accomodations to participate in this activity, please contact the York County Extension office at 757-890-4940/TDD* during business hours of 8:15 am - 5:00 pm to discuss accomodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is 757-890-3621
Are you interested in becoming a
York/Poquoson Master Gardener?
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
The Master Gardener Training class for 2025, is a 14-week virtual course from August 13 – November 19, utilizing the Canvas learning management system. Canvas course class assignments will be completed on your schedule prior to the required evening Zoom classes on Wednesdays from 7:00pm-8:30pm. There will be optional in-person hands-on Saturday 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, per year.
Course Fee and Application
The cost is $185. Applications will be accepted April 30 - July 7, 2025. Course fee includes a digital version of the training manual and a non-refundable background check fee of $12.50 and a non-refundable credit card fee of $7.33.
Classes cover some of the following topics:
Insects
Lawns
Pruning
Shrubs
Soils
Trees
Vegetables