What is a Master Gardener?

​The Virginia Cooperative Extension (Stafford Office), an agency of Virginia Tech, serves as the sponsoring organization for the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA).  Master Gardeners are members of the local community who pledge to volunteer to educate the public within Planning District 16 (Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline) about horticultural and environmental-related information.  Master Gardener volunteers act on behalf of the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) to provide unbiased, research-based information and serve as a link between the state's land grant universities and the community.  The program has become increasingly important as rapid growth has put more and more demands on local extension offices.

Master Gardener Classes

​The Stafford County VCE Office manages the Master Gardener program in Planning District 16, which includes the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.  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 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 Master Gardeners (MGs).  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.
Grace and I have decided to restart the Horticulture Help Desk at the Stafford VCE office! We are looking for volunteers to work the help desk, which includes helping answer plant questions via email, phone call, and in person visits from the community, helping fellow MGs with Better Impact, and helping with other projects around the office. We want to start the help desk on September 18, and then have someone in the office once a week on Wednesdays from 12 pm to 3 pm through November. All training will be provided by Grace and I, and this is a great opportunity for newer Master Gardeners to become familiar with VCE resources and answering plant related questions. If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out this sign-up genius to pick the dates you would like to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48A5AB2FA0FDC25-50869638-horticulture. Please limit yourself to 3 shifts to allow others a chance to volunteer. If you're interested and have any questions, please contact Grace ([email protected]) and myself ([email protected]). 
Sincerely,
Sam Ragon