VCE Virginia Beach Master Gardener Volunteer Program
The Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program to educate the citizens of Virginia Beach in research-based horticulture. To become a volunteer with VCE, one must:
- Attend an orientation session.
- Submit an online application with references.
- Participate in an interview.
- Complete and pass a background screening.
- Pay fees associated with course materials.
Things to know about the volunteer training course:
- Recruitment begins in the Fall. We typically receive more applications than we can accept. If you are not accepted into the program, you can reapply for a subsequent year.
- The Intern Training program is a 12-week course from January-March. Due to the amount of material that is presented during each class, attendance is required.
- Each trainee will be required to make a short presentation to the class and complete a final exam to complete the course.
- Upon completion of the classwork portion of the training, participants must complete a 50-hour internship in Master Gardener projects within one year. Master Gardener status is conferred upon completion of the internship requirements.
- As a Master Gardener, volunteers agree to provide at least 40 hours of volunteer service per year, including a minimum of eight hours of approved continuing education per year.
