Cornell Cooperative Extension

Schuyler County
Master Gardener logo, 800x400 in yellow & green

Master Gardener volunteers help extend gardening knowledge into the community.

Master Gardener Volunteers

Master Gardeners answering questions

Master Gardeners

What is the Master Gardener Program?

The Master Gardener Program is a national program of trained volunteers who work in partnership with their county Cooperative Extension office to expand educational outreach throughout the community by providing home gardeners with research-based information.

The first Master Gardener program was started in Washington state in 1972. Forty-six states now have Master Gardener programs. For information on Master Gardener programs outside Schuyler County, visit the Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program website.

Who Becomes a Master Gardener?

Master Gardeners enjoy people and plants. They usually have no professional gardening or landscaping experience, only a genuine interest in sharing their knowledge, and sufficient free time to volunteer in Master Gardener activities.

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Qualification for Trainees

Master Gardener trainees should have a basic knowledge of, or interest in, gardening; enthusiasm for acquiring and sharing horticultural knowledge and skills; good communications skills; and a willingness and free time to participate in volunteer educational activities.

Master Gardener Training

undefined Master Gardener training is held in the beginning of the year. Trainees receive instruction from experts at Cornell Cooperative Extension and elsewhere on a broad spectrum of subjects applicable to home gardening, such as plant nutrition, soils, vegetable and fruit culture, trees, shrubs and lawns, diseases and insects that affect plants, pruning, and much more. After this instruction, trainees are certified as Master Gardeners. Advanced instruction is offered, and special seminars and refresher workshops are held so that Master Gardeners can stay current on gardening topics and keep their knowledge up-to-date.

You can learn more about the topics that are covered in the training by visiting the NY State Master Gardener Volunteer Program pages on the Cornell University website.

Please call for information on when the next Master Gardener volunteer training will be offered, and to receive an application form.

Volunteer Commitment

Along with the 60-hour training, Master Gardener trainees commit an additional 24 hours of service for the year. After the first year, Master Gardeners can be as involved with the program as they would like. To maintain the Master Gardener certification, w e require 24 hours a year of volunteering or continuing education.

The following activities all count towards hours:

  • Maintaining the CCE Teaching Garden
  • Helping at CCE events,
  • Working in a local or private garden
  • Furthering your education in either a formal or informal setting.
Many Master Gardeners have volunteered for years and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow gardeners and group gatherings.

What are Master Gardeners doing in Schuyler County

The Schuyler County Master Gardeners are involved in many activities:

  • Maintaining the CCE Teaching Garden
  • Helping with public workshops
  • Organizing the annual Plant Sale
  • Writing articles for the CCE Schuyler blog
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For more information . . .

If you are interested in becoming a Schuyler County Master Gardener call  607-535-7161.

Contact

Shawn Tubridy
Garden & Horticulture Coordinator
slt22@cornell.edu
607-535-7161

Last updated August 3, 2023

Gardening

Master Gardeners

Read Past issues of the Schuyler County
Master Gardeners
newsletter:
The Gardening Thymes- Spring 2018

The Gardening Thymes- Spring 2019

Tulips

For information about the Master Program on the state level:

Learn more about the NY State Master Gardener Volunteer Program by visiting their pages on the Cornell University website!

Benefits of Becoming a Master Gardener

Through the Master Gardener training sessions and workshops, you'll become a more knowledgeable gardener. You will receive publications, seeds and other related material. You will be able to attend regular Master Gardener workshops around the state as well as state and national Master Gardener conferences. You will travel with other Master Gardeners to interesting gardens and nurseries. And finally, you will meet lots of people who share your love of gardening.

Benefits to the Community

As a Master Gardener volunteer, you are expected to share the knowledge you gained in the training sessions with other gardeners in the community. You can do this by participating in a variety of ways. Every time you answer a gardening question from a friend, you extend the knowledge you have gained. The Cooperative Extension Horticulture Program offers many volunteer opportunities, or volunteers can design their own projects to benefit the community. Volunteer hours are flexible depending on interest and time available. Travel expenses are tax-deductible.

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