A Master Composter volunteer shows a worm bin to visitors at Farm City Day, Tompkins County NY. vermicomposting

Image by Sandy Repp

Master Composter Volunteers demonstrate composting at community events.

Master Gardener volunteers at the 2012 Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale (CCE-Tompkins).

Image by Sandy Repp

Master Gardener Volunteers organize the largest garden fair and plant sale in our region.

Community Beautification volunteers planting at Dryden Road

Image by Dan Klein

Beautification Brigade Volunteers work to keep Ithaca's public garden spaces beautiful

Gardening Program Volunteers

Join Our Gardening Program as a Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to meet people, learn new skills and share what you already know while contributing to our community. Some ongoing opportunities are listed below. Prospective volunteers complete an interest form then are sent volunteer paperwork and additional information.

Beautification Brigade

Annual orientation in March, but join any time! Volunteer with the Community Beautification Program and have fun while making a difference in the City of Ithaca. The Beautification Brigade plants and maintains plantings on city traffic medians and the Ithaca Commons: pansies in the spring, colorful annuals for summer, bulbs in the fall, and winter greens for winter. Join this fun group and help make Ithaca more beautiful while learning useful gardening tips and techniques. Free and open to anyone who wishes to volunteer with the program. Email beautification@cornell.edu for more information.

Citizen Pruners

Annual training in April, but join any time! Citizen Pruner volunteers help maintain street trees and shrubs in the City of Ithaca. Workdays are once a week from June to October. Training is provided by university and local experts and covers: urban trees, evaluating tree structure and needs, and pruning trees and shrubs. Classes are free, for those who wish to volunteer and are not required. To volunteer or sign up for the classes, email Marissa Nolan at mn623@cornell.edu or visit the Citizen Pruners webpage.

Master Composters

Applications due in January for annual training February-April. Master Composters are an enthusiastic group committed to promoting responsible composting in Tompkins County. Training covers all aspects of composting and includes some collaborative volunteering. After completing the training program, Master Composters give time back to the community in a variety of outreach activities. Call or email Adam Michaelides at 272-2292 x 124 or acm1@cornell.edu for information.

Master Gardeners

Training is offered most years starting in the Fall with applications starting in the Summer. Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) are trained to bring research-based gardening information to other community members. MGVs volunteer to teach classes and workshops, plant and maintain demonstration gardens, provide information and soil pH testing at events, answer gardening questions that come in to the GrowLine, our garden hotline, and work with partners on community gardening projects. To become a Master Gardener Volunteer, one must successfully complete the training course, and volunteer 20 hours each year. Anyone who enjoys gardening, has a desire to share knowledge and skills, and who is willing to provide volunteer community service is encouraged to apply. For more information, contact Aly Trombitas at art228@cornell.edu.