Welcome to the UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Program. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences works collaboratively with all 67 counties in Florida to offer 'Solutions for Your Life'. If you are interested in providing our community with research-based landscape best practices and 'growing a greener community together', please consider applying to our volunteer program. Volunteers can expect to participate in a number of activities including; offering educational programs, working with community and school gardens, analyzing soil and water samples, answering diagnostic landscape concerns, and many more. See the list below for some examples of projects.
Applicants selected for the program complete a 14-week in-person training class. Following graduation, students become MGV Interns and are required to contribute 100 volunteer hours (working with veteran MGVs) plus 10 CEUs within one year. Once certified as an MGV, the required hours are 50 plus 10 CEUs per year.
I would like to volunteer
General Interests
- Gardening with Youth
- Native Plants
- Pollinator Gardening
- Orchids and Epiphytes
- Bromeliads
- Vegetables and Herbs
- Indoor Plants and Container Gardening
- Florida Friendly Landscaping Program
- Fruit Trees
- Propagation Greenhouse Management
- Nature/Preserve Tours
- Marketing/Publicity
- Integrated Pest Management
- Plant Diagnostic Clinic/Soil Testing
- Fundraising and Grant Writing
- Mentoring other volunteers
- Public Outreach Activities
- Teaching/Leading Workshops
- Invasive Plants
Growing a Greener Community Together
The UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County Master Gardener Volunteer Program has been providing outstanding horticultural information to the community since 1979. We strive to meet the needs of our community while encouraging research-based, environmentally-conscious landscape choices.
