Who?

Do you enjoy gardening? Love nature? Appreciate the environment? Want to share your outdoor passions with others? Welcome to the Master Gardener Program where you will meet others with your interest(s), update your current knowledge, and help the community grow. Members personally grow by advancing their knowledge and by participating in educational opportunities.

How?
Becoming a Certified Master Gardener begins with 50 hours of classroom education. The course is held once each year within the five county region. It provides remedial training in many topics including landscape design, botany, pruning, pest management, soils, insects, and various types of plants. After completion of this course, interns than complete 50 hours of hands-on training through volunteer activities available throughout the Valley.

When?
The next Master Gardener training classes will begin February 2014.

Where?
Master Gardener training classes will be held annually as long as we have the miniumum number of participants. We try to alternate locations between our five county region (Clarke, Frederick, Warren, Page and Shenandoah).

Costs?
The fee is $200.00. (Cost will be $180.00 if you sign up at the pre-registration event to be held Tuesday, January 15th from 6:00 to 9:00pm at Blandy)

This covers the cost of training materials, supplies, and a one year membership in the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association. After the first year, NSVMGA annual dues are $15.00 a year per person/ $20 per couple.

Continuing Education?
All active Master Gardeners who have completed their internship are invited to participate in Master Gardener College, an annual advanced training program held the third week in June on the Virginia Tech campus. Additional training in arboriculture to become certified Tree Stewards, or in water quality to become certified as Water Stewards is available as well. Of course, the monthly educational sessions at the Master Gardener Association meetings play an important part in the continuing education program.

Association Membership?
The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association is comprised of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties. Your first year membership is included in the cost of the Master Gardener Course. Future dues are a modest $15 per person $20 per couple a year. Business meetings and educational sessions are held monthly. You may notice several events on our calendar that are for “Master Gardeners Only”. Once accepted into the Master Gardener program, you will be invited to begin participating in all of the Association’s activities and events.

Interested?
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Master Gardener or you have further questions, please contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension at 540-665-5699 or email greenhelpline@gmail.com