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Master Gardeners plant and maintain demonstration gardens at CCE Tompkins
Master Gardener volunteers help extend gardening knowledge into the community.
Master Gardener Volunteer Training
*Applications to become a Master Gardener Volunteer open in June. The best way to be alerted as to when applications have opened up is sign up for our newsletter on the homepage of the CCE Tompkins website*
The Master Gardener Volunteer Training is a 20 week course that starts at the beginning of September and ends in March, with a break from mid-November to January. It is a hybrid course, most weeks are virtual with one in-person meeting a month. Virtual sessions are one hour on Saturday mornings, in-person sessions are longer events also on Saturdays. Tompkins County participates in the Southern Tier Regional Training. In-person days are spread throughout the Southern Tier counties participating. Carpools can be arranged for those who have more limited access to transportation.
The training costs $75 with an additional $50 deposit that is returned after completing the require 20 hours of volunteer service. Full and partial scholarships are available.
Trained MGVs volunteer to teach classes and workshops, maintain our Demonstration Gardens, provide information and soil pH testing at events, answer questions for the Growline, our garden hotline, and/or work with partners on community gardening projects.
To remain an active MGV, one must volunteer 20 hours per year.
Contact
Aly Trombitas
Agriculture & Horticulture Educator
art228@cornell.edu
(607) 272-2292 ext. 146
Last updated February 25, 2025
NYS Master Gardeners
Learn more about the NY State Master Gardener Volunteer Program by visiting their pages on the Cornell University website!
Tuition & Scholarships
We encourage people of all income levels who are able to meet the volunteer commitment to apply to be part of the program. We offer full or partial scholarships to interested community members for whom the program tuition will be a barrier to entry. Monthly payment plans are available. All participants, except for those on scholarship, will pay a $50 deposit that will be returned in full upon completion of the required 20 volunteer hours.
Here are the payment options:
(1) Pay the full program fee of $75 plus $50 deposit.
(2) Pay only the deposit of $50, apply for a partial scholarship and pay the remaining amount.
(3) Apply for a full scholarship for the program.
(4) Set up a monthly payment plan for the full ($125) or partial amount.
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.