Benefits of becoming a WVU Extension Master Gardener

Among the many benefits for getting involved with the WVU Extension Master Gardener program, here are the highest-ranking ones:

• Getting to know more about gardening and horticulture to expand personal horizons and be able to help others
• Significant improvements in quality of life, including physical activity, social activity, self-esteem and nutrition
• Offers opportunities for professional development through continuing training opportunities
• Meeting like-minded people and engaging in the garden activities you are passionate about
• Opportunities to assume responsibility
• Encourages individual independence
• Gaining respect in the community for your newly developed horticultural skills
• Flexibility to conduct volunteer work

How do you join?

The first step is to contact your county office and ask about the training program. Under normal circumstances, the WVU Extension Master Gardener Program is offered through our local WVU Extension offices. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the training program has been migrated to an online platform. You will still need to contact your local WVU Extension office to go over the registration, fees, paperwork and how to get the manuals.

Over the course of the 17-session online training program, you will receive 51 hours of instruction in a variety of topics, including botany, plant propagation, entomology, pesticides and pest management, plant disease, soil science and nutritional management, turfgrass management, vegetable gardening, tree fruits, small fruit, pruning, landscape design, woody ornamentals, indoor plants, herbaceous plants and garden wildlife management.

From there, pass a test and complete 40 hours of initial volunteer work and you’ll have earned the right to call yourself a WVU Extension Master Gardener.

Learn about the 2022 Online WVU Extension Master Garden Program Spring Training Sessions