Master Gardener Volunteers grow plants and community 

The Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program extends the outreach of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln by providing volunteers with science-based horticulture education, which prepares them to share their knowledge with the citizens of the State. The program is more than its mission. It is a community rooted in genuine interests in plants, people, experimentation in the garden and landscape, and a love for lifelong learning. 

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Here’s how. As a Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (NE-EMGV) Student, you are required to complete at least 40 hours of education. Once you fulfill this requirement and pass an open-book test with a score of 70% or higher, you will be classified as a NE-EMGV Trainee. Master Gardener Volunteer training sessions are held at county offices throughout the state. Classes begin in February or March, depending on the location. Most locations conduct training during daytime hours, but some offer evening classes with online learning options. Class topics may vary by location within the state, but all classes will cover integrated pest management, weeds, insects, diseases, plant selection, landscape management, soils, fertility, and morphology. After completing an additional 40 hours of volunteer activities, you will officially become a Volunteer in the Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. This title will remain with you until the next training sessions begin the following year. 

Master Gardener volunteers are trained by UNL Extension faculty and staff. They volunteer through their local Extension office to provide horticulture-related information to their community. More specifically, they provide education about sustainable horticultural practices. Participants are required to complete 40 hours of training and 40 hours of volunteer service during the initial year of their involvement in the program. 

While there is an opportunity to advance your skills and become a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer, anyone can become a Master Gardener Volunteer. The difference between the two lies in the expected number of educational and volunteer hours. The program is flexible, allowing you to choose content by topic in your own time.

To find the closest training location, contact your local county extension office or learn more at mastergardener.unl.edu. 

-University of Nebraska-Lincoln