Goochland Powhatan Master Gardeners
Who are Goochland and Powhatan Master Gardeners?
Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and to help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people.
What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, persons who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their Extension office to provide horticultural-related information to their communities.
Is the Master Gardener Program for Me?
To help you decide if you should apply to be a Master Gardener, ask yourself these questions:
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Do I want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants?
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Am I eager to participate in a practical and intense training program?
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Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?
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Do I have enough time to attend training and to complete the volunteer service?
If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you. Contact your local Extension Office in Powhatan or Goochland to ask about the Master Gardener Program or click on the link at the bottom of this page and fill out an application. Classes begin January and continue until the end of March.
Training:
If accepted into the Master Gardener program, you will attend a Master Gardener training course. Classes are taught by Virginia Tech Extension specialists, agents, and local experts.
The program offers a minimum of 50 hours of instruction that covers topics including garden flowers, lawn care, ornamental trees and shrubs, insect, disease, weed management, soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, home fruit production, and water conservation. Check with your County Extension office for specific locations, dates, and times.
Volunteer Commitment:
In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer time to their County Extension program. At least 50 hours of volunteer service within one year following the training is required to earn the title of “ Master Gardener”.
The type of service done by Master Gardeners varies according to community needs, and the abilities and interests of the Master Gardeners. Some Master Gardeners answer telephone requests for information related to gardening. Others staff plant clinics or displays in shopping malls or community centers. Master Gardeners may speak to local groups and conduct workshops. They may help establish community garden projects, work with 4-H youth, or assist their agent with news or radio releases related to gardening. The Master Gardener Coordinator in the County Extension office decides how volunteer time can be best utilized.
Master Gardeners are representatives of the Virginia Tech Extension Service. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master Gardeners follow the research-based recommendations of the Virginia Tech Extension Service. The title “ Master Gardener” can be used by volunteers only when engaged in Extension-sponsored activities.
Certification:
Participants become certified Master Gardeners after they have completed the training course and fulfilled their volunteer commitment.
If you have questions or need more information contact Goochland or Powhatan Extension offices:
Goochland, 2748 Dogtown Rd, Goochland, VA 23063,
Phone # 804-556-5841
Powhatan, 3910 Old Buckingham Road, Suite B, Powhatan, VA 23139
Phone # 804-598-5640
Click on the following link to apply for the VCE Master Gardener Program:
Application Form - Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program - Goochland/Powhatan