What is the Cornell University Master Gardener Volunteer Program?
-The Master Gardener Volunteers are a group of volunteers trained by Cornell Cooperative Extension to perform community.outreach in horticulture and gardening.
-The mission of Cornell University's Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is to extend research-based horticultural information to the communities of Westchester County.
-Volunteers attend an intensive 75 hour training course over a 10 week period followed by a 100 hour volunteer commitment over the next two years.

How do Master Gardeners volunteer their time?
-Writing gardening Q&A articles for the Journal News
-Performing site visit for homeowners
-Giving lectures to garden clubs and other groups through our Speakers' Bureau
-Maintaining demonstration gardens such as those at Hart's Brook Park in Greenburgh and Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights
-Mentoring and giving technical guidance to school gardens
-Organizing the Home Garden Lecture Series consisting of a series of six monthly lectures given by local horticulture experts
-Preparing the Master Gardener Photo Calendar for publication

What subjects does the training program cover?
-Soils and Fertilizers
-Tree Physiology
-Garden Botany
-Woody Plants and Their Maintenance
-Pruning
-Plant Pathology and Entomology
-Integrated Pest Management
-Composting and Organic Gardening
-Management of Nuisance Wildlife
-Growing Vegetables and Herbs

How do I apply for acceptance into the Master Gardener Volunteer Program?
-You must be a resident of Westchester County to apply for the CCE Westchester Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
-You must complete an application and furnish two personal references with your application.
-Personal interviews will be conducted from a pool of qualified applicants.

How often is training offered?
-Every two years. The next Master Gardener Training class is scheduled for January 2012, but this is subject to budgetary constraints.

Is there a fee?
-Yes. The fee is $450 for 2012.

Click here to see the brochure describing the MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM.

We are no longer accepting applications for 2012 MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER TRAINING.