BECOMING AN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER (EMG)
Thank you for your interest in our Eastern Shore VA Master Gardener course. Our Master Gardener chapter covers Accomack and Northampton counties here on the Eastern Shore and is exclusively for residents of these counties.
We offer the Master Gardener course once a year, beginning in January. Every applicant is required by the State of Virginia to have a background check prior to starting the class. The cost is $12.50, paid by the applicant and is nonrefundable.
The course is held in Painter at the AREC office, every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm through April. In person attendance is mandatory. Unfortunately, we do not offer this training on nights, weekends, at other locations or online.
There are a series of lectures, both live and streaming, as well as field trips. At the end of the course, there is an open book exam of 100 questions. Upon successful completion of the exam, graduates are considered interns and work under the guidance of Master Gardeners to complete their 50 hours of volunteer time by the end of the calendar year of their graduation. These 50 hours are a critical part of the Master Gardener educational process.
Once the internship requirement has been met, Active Masters are expected to complete 20 hours of volunteer time, 8 hours of continuing education after their graduation year and payment of the ESVMG annual dues annually.
Currently, the course cost is approximately $130 plus an additional fee for a printed copy of the Master Gardener textbook. Annual dues as of 2024 are $22.00 after successful completion of internship.
Registration for the 2024 Master Gardener Basic training class is closed.
If you have further questions or would like to be put on the class email list please contact us at info@esvmg.com.
Eastern Shore Master Gardeners
Levels to Achieve and Maintain Master Gardener Status
Trainee
Accepted trainees will begin classroom training on Wednesdays in Painter, VA. starting January 10 and ending April 24, 2024, from 8:45 am to 3:00 pm. The cost of the program is $125. Trainees must pass an open book final examination before being certified as “Master Gardener Interns”.
Intern
Interns complete 50 hours of volunteer service on approved Eastern Shore Master Gardener projects within one year.
Master Gardener
Master Gardeners maintain their status by completing 20 hours of volunteer service, 8 hours of continuing education, and paying yearly dues.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Theresa Long Pittman at 757-787-1361 ext. 14 during business hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.