James City County/Williamsburg
Master Gardeners

What is a Master Gardener?

Home>What is a Master Gardener?

A Master Gardener is an individual who acts on behalf of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) as a volunteer educator within his or her community after receiving specialized training in environmental horticulture through cooperative programming with VCE. These volunteer educators serve as partners with VCE to promote; inform; and work with communities, leaders, industry, and individuals presenting programs on all aspects of horticulture to protect and enhance the environment, including turf, landscape, vegetables, trees and shrubs, and pest management practices.

Levels of Master Gardener Status

There are five levels of MG status. Each status level is determined by level of training and internship (community education service) experience.

1. MASTER GARDENER TRAINEE - One who is currently in classroom training to become a MG but has not yet taken or satisfactorily passed final examination on course material.

2. MASTER GARDENER INTERN - One who has completed the MG program classroom training requirement, achieved 70 percent or better cumulative average on final examination, and is currently fulfilling the initial internship experience of 70 hours educational efforts/work time.

3. MASTER GARDENER - One who has completed the full MG program - classroom and internship - and is actively volunteering with VCE, fulfilling the program requirements necessary to remain active. When a person ceases active volunteering with VCE and/or no longer pursues continued education, he or she also relinquishes the title of Master Gardener. A temporary "inactive" status, however, is available for a one or two year period upon request of the individual and approval of the local coordinator. Coordinators may choose to review this status annually and may require additional training to reactivate an individual to MG status.

4. SPECIALIZED MASTER GARDENER - One who has received specialized training in any of the advanced-level MG training programs and has completed the program requirements. Specialized training is available in various areas, such as Master Gardener Tree Steward, Master Gardener Water Steward, and Master Gardener Compost Manager.

5. MASTER GARDENER EMERITUS - A dedicated MG who "retires" due to health or other reasons after 300 hours of service or as determined by the coordinator. This is a high honor status and should have limited use. This title is specifically for individuals who can no longer complete the requirements for remaining active MGs, but who have earned continued affiliation with the program.