Are you ready to become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

ALL ARE WELCOME! We’re looking for volunteers who like to learn, grow and share!  Master Gardener volunteers are committed to providing high quality, research-based horticultural information and educational activities that enhance our community’s environment and quality of life. Financial assistance is available!

Why become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

Do you have a love of gardening? Do bees just make you “buzz” with enthusiasm? Do you enjoy sharing with others about growing things?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program — Hennepin County, may be for you! Master Gardener Volunteers take their knowledge and love of horticulture and plants into the Hennepin County Community, sharing it with others.

How do I become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

Applications are accepted August 1 to October 1. If you wish to be notified when we’re accepting applications again, e-mail hcmg@umn.edu. Thanks for your interest in our program!

Program Information

Volunteers first learn as Interns by taking a 16 week horticultural education Core Course from the University of Minnesota. They then learn while they are volunteering; they also learn by attending monthly continuing education sessions offered by our program, as well as other CE classes available through by the University of Minnesota, MN Landscape Arboretum and Minnesota Horticultural Society. The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is the perfect way to volunteer your time and talents AND learn more at the same time.

There is a fee of $340 (or $399 with a printed companion guide) for the Core Course and background check. Financial assistance is available.

To get their certification, Master Gardener Interns are required to complete the Core Course and donate 50 hours of volunteer service; this can be spread out over one or more years. After certification, 25 hours of service plus 5 continuing education hours are required annually to maintain certified Master Gardener Volunteer status.

Class of 2026 Application Process

October 6:

Application Deadline. Applications need to be completed on-line or received in our office (paper versions available — e-mail mgweb@umn.edu to request one) by October 6.

October 20-25:

Conversations / Information Exchanges. Join other applicants and a few experienced Master Gardener Volunteers to learn more about us and we’ll learn more about you!  Virtual and in-person options will be available.

November 3:

Confirmation of 2026 Interns will be made by
Monday, November 3.

December 1:

REGISTRATION DEADLINE. All accepted applicants MUST BE REGISTERED for the Core Course and have completed the 2026 Intern / Mentor Match Survey for participation in the 2026 Intern co-hort by Monday, December 1.

January 8, 2026

Meet Your Mentor Meeting / Orientation. Meet your Mentor and other Interns for your orientation to the Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Hennepin County!  Sessions will be offered in-person and virtually.

January - May 2026:

Core Course (on-line). On-line classes are tentatively scheduled to open January 6, 2026. All Master Gardener Volunteer Interns are required to take the Core Course, which is taught by members of the University of Minnesota Extension and University of Minnesota faculty. The Core Course is self-paced and held on-line using Canvas. “Live” Question and Answer sessions (Plant Talks) will be held Tuesday evenings. Interns are encouraged to complete the Core Course by the end of May. Additional training/orientation may be required for some volunteer opportunities.

Core Course Study Hall. Hennepin County offers an in-person Study Hall Thursday evenings. Gather in-person with other Interns and review core course materials led by a certified Master Gardener Volunteer!

Intern Cohort Meetings & Orientation. Join us on-line Thursday evenings (right before the Core Course Study Hall) for a 45 minute orientation and networking sessions.

March 2, 2026:

Annual Meeting (virtual). Interns are invited to attend the Annual Meeting (held virtually!)   At this meeting we will review our goals for the year and briefly introduce our Leadership Team.

April 6, 2026:

First Update Session (Virtual). Interns are asked to attend the first Update Session of the year and highly encouraged to attend all others. The Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Hennepin County conducts monthly 2-hour continuing education Update meetings on the first Monday evening of most months.

What are the certification requirements to become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

After being accepted into the Master Gardener Volunteer Program, a volunteer becomes an Intern and completes 50+ hours of Core Course horticultural education taught by University of Minnesota staff. Topics covered in the Core Training include:

  • Soils

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Entomology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Landscape, Lawn Care

  • Indoor Plants

  • Herbaceous Plants

  • Wood Plants

  • Pesticides

  • Gardening with Wildlife

  • Inclusive Volunteering: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

After completing the Core Course training, during the first year, Master Gardener Interns in Hennepin County are required to donate 50 hours of volunteer service including researching questions from the public. After the first year, to remain certified, Master Gardener Volunteers complete 5 hours of continuing education and 25 hours of volunteer service annually.

Get Connected

Connect with Hennepin County Master Gardeners and the University of Minnesota Yard and Garden on social media.