Master Gardener Classes

​The Virginia Cooperative Extension Office (VCE) in Stafford manages the Master Gardener Program in Planning District 16, which includes the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline.  Stafford's senior extension agent annually offers Master Gardener classes, normally in the fall.

 Anyone interested in obtaining information on the program or being placed on the mailing list for the next class should contact the Stafford Extension Office at 540-658-8000 ext. 1056.

Certification Requirements

​Volunteers undergo 50 hours of education from the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE).  Afterwards, Master Gardener interns are each required to provide 50 hours of volunteer service through approved projects in the first year.  Upon completion of these requirements, the volunteers are recognized as Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs).  

​To maintain active status each year, Master Gardeners are required to volunteer 20 hours on approved community service projects and attend 8 hours of additional educational training.

EMG Course Facilitators (various dates):  I’m so happy to be asking for facilitators again!  I’ve attached the syllabus (as it currently stands – rain dates are yet to be set, and some actual dates are still TBD).  We have the possibility of having a large class this year – 35 people have been offered a spot, currently 18 have paid.  It’s gonna be wild, yall!  Anyway, to accommodate a larger group, I’ve secured a classroom at the Courthouse Community Center for several of the labs that would otherwise be held in our classroom.  I went over to look at it the other day.  It has all the comforts of our home classroom, and is…well, to be honest, a little nicer than ours!  Right now,  I only need facilitators for the dates that are at CCC or Rowser Gym.  I will send out invites to all of you to attend each of the labs, but that will happen as the course progresses.  If you are interested in facilitating (helping with handouts, coffee prep, classroom set up) please let me know – I’ll sign folks up first come, first served!  Facilitators can count their hours as either volunteer or continuing ed, whichever works better for you.  SGL’ers – I will send you guys an email about the lawns lab; I’ll be trying to swindle you into assisting so be on the lookout!