Who is a Master Gardener?

• A volunteer educator in our community …
• … who acts on behalf of the Henrico County Office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) …
• … to teach about sustainable gardening and horticulture …
• … after receiving specialized training.

Click on the video below to learn more …

Become a Master Gardener

The VCE is affiliated with Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University.

The Henrico VCE Master Gardener Program is offered by the Henrico County Office of the VCE, in partnership with the Henrico County Master Gardener Association.

Where can I see what Henrico Master Gardeners do?

• Explore this website to learn about our programs!
• Visit our two demonstration gardens 
• Ask gardening questions through the VCE Horticulture Help Line.
• Visit our plant clinics at Farmer’s Markets and Garden Centers from late Spring through early Fall.
• Attend our Special Events for adults and children at the Short Pump pollinator garden.

What training will I receive?

Master Gardeners receive training developed by Virginia Tech horticulture specialists, VCE Agents and the VCE Master Gardener Program Coordinator’s office. You will receive 50 hours of classroom (online or in-person) training, and then do a 50-hour internship of volunteer activities in Henrico County.

The classroom training includes basic botany, soil science, woody and herbaceous plant gardening, vegetable gardening, integrated pest management, lawn care and much more.

The internship includes work in demonstration gardens, plant clinics, and public education.

These initial 100 hours must be completed in one calendar year. At the end of the year, you earn the title of Henrico Master Gardener Volunteer. Additional volunteer work and continuing education are required each year to maintain certification.

I’m interested! How do I apply?

• Go to the Henrico Master Gardener Application Page
• Click on the link to the Henrico Master Gardener Application. The application is completed online using our volunteer management system – Better lmpact. During this process, you will create a login and password for the Better lmpact system. Please write these down and safely save them for later use if accepted into the program. Applications cannot be saved in-process, so please allow 15-20 minutes to complete. 
• The application requires the names and contact information for two (2) non-family references.
• Applications are accepted between September 1 and October 16.
• October 30, 2023 – You will receive an email with dates and times to select for interviews that will be scheduled the week of November 6-10, 2023.
• November 6-10, 2023 – Interviews conducted.  Applications are then reviewed by a committee of Henrico Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension Staff.
• Monday, November 20, 2023 – Applicants are notified of their acceptance status.
• Friday, December 15 – Program fee is submitted by this date; required background checks are completed,
• Wednesday, January 10, 2024 – Classes begin.

New class format for 2024!

Classes will be held from Wednesday, January 10, 2024, to the end of March. Tuesdays will be virtual classes. You can participate live when the class is offered virtually from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or view the posted recordings at a time convenient to you. Wednesdays will be in-person classes from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Henrico Extension Office, 8600 Dixon Powers Dr., Henrico, VA 23228. There will be no virtual option or recording of the in-person classes. Additionally there will be three optional in-person Saturday workshops. Information about these workshops will be shared at the first class (orientation) session.

There is a $175 fee to cover costs of training materials.

For additional information, please contact Ed Olsen, Henrico County Extension Agent, at edo@vt.edu or (804) 501-5160.

Henrico Master Gardener Association (HMGA)

3-Fold Purpose:

1. Administer the Master Gardener Program in Henrico County
2. Assist the VCE Office in Henrico County with educational programs in horticulture and environmental protection
3. Foster communication, education, volunteerism and leadership among members

Membership:

• Voluntary
• Dues = $25/yr
• Eligibility. Anyone who has completed the Master Gardener Training Program through the Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Benefits. Regular meetings to share information with membership, provide continuing education opportunities, develop new projects, networking and support