The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County Master Gardener Volunteer Program is currently accepting applications for persons who are interested in becoming part of this unique volunteer opportunity.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who work in partnership with the Monroe County Cooperative Extension staff to teach and share gardening knowledge countywide. They are neighbors teaching neighbors about horticulture and environmentally sound gardening practices, and provide the public with a variety of educational programs and activities. The program has a specific emphasis on environmental sustainability and food insecurity.
One example of the kind of programming offered by the Master Gardeners is the Pollinator Friendly Garden Certification Program. This unique program encourages residents of Monroe County to include more native plants and natural habitat in their landscaping. This program promotes native plant use to support pollinators, which are vital to our food supply. Birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, as well as other insects are responsible for putting one out of every three bites of food in our mouth. These insects and other animals play a key role in helping plants reproduce.
Master Gardeners also support the Seed to Supper program that helps residents learn how to grow their own vegetable gardens at a number of different locations. These programs are just two of many different activities where Master Volunteers participate.
Typically, the Master Gardener Training Program is offered biannually and was last offered in October 2022. The application and additional information is now available online at: http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/master-gardeners/how-to-become-a-master-gardener. The application deadline is June 15, 2024. There is a $200 fee for the training, and partial scholarships are available upon request.
Completed applications may be returned via email to Master Gardener Coordinator, Ashly Piedmont, ap842@cornell.edu or mailed to Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County, 2449 St. Paul Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14617.
Applications will be reviewed and a smaller group of applicants will be interviewed as part of the selection process. It is anticipated that there will be 30 seats available for the required six-month hybrid course. Participants will meet in person two Saturday mornings a month and learning is also online. The course will be from October 2024 through April 2025. Classes will be held at Tinker Nature Park, 1525 Calkins Road, Pittsford.
Successful participants will be expected to commit 50 hours of volunteer service in their first year, and 30 hours of volunteer service annually to remain active Master Gardeners. There is also an annual expectation of 10 hours of continued horticulture education after the first year of volunteering.
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