Becoming a Master Gardener

Master Gardeners are highly trained volunteers who help extend the mission of the UF/IFAS Urban Horticulture Extension Agent. The training sessions are held when new volunteers are needed to increase the ranks of volunteers. A sincere desire as well as the time available to volunteer constitutes the primary ingredient to becoming a successful Master Gardener and this is the only pre-requisite.

To obtain an application for training, prospective students must attend a Master Gardener Preview Class. These classes are held approximately 3 months prior to the training start date. This is a very popular training and many times we have more applications than we have spaces in the class. Each applicant will be interviewed by a team of Master Gardener Mentors and then the class roster will be chosen. The cost of the training is $160 and must be paid by the posted deadline so that books and other materials can be purchased. Watch this web-site for the dates of the next Master Gardener training and the Preview classes.

Training involves one day per week classes for 15 weeks along with 15 hours of volunteer service. Once the training is complete, 75 hours of volunteer service is required to become a Certified Florida Master Gardener. Certification is only for one year. In following years, you must volunteer at least 35 hours and obtain 10 hours of continuing education to maintain this certification.

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