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.

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.

How do I become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

The application period for the 2025 program year has ended. We generally accept applications between August 1 and October 1.  If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer in 2026, just let us know by e-mailing hcmg@umn.edu and we’ll put you on our notification list.  Thanks for your interest in our program!

Program Information

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

During the first year, Master Gardener Interns are required to donate 50 hours of volunteer service and complete 12 additional hours of continuing education over and above the Core Course. After the first year, 25 volunteer hours plus 12 continuing education hours are required annually to maintain certified Master Gardener status.

Class of 2025 Application Process

October 1:

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 1.

October 10-17:

Conversations / Information Exchanges.  Join a couple of 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 1:

Confirmation of 2025 Interns will be made by
Friday, November 1.

December 1:

REGISTRATION DEADLINE. All accepted applicants MUST BE REGISTERED for the core course and have completed the 2025 Intern / Mentor Match Survey for participation in the 2025 intern co-hort.

Meet Your Mentor Meetings / Orientation

Meet Your Mentor Meetings. Meetings will be held in January / February for you to meet your mentor and other interns, both virtually and on-line.

January - May 2025:

Core Course (on-line). On-line classes are tentatively scheduled to open January 7, 2025. 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 will be held Tuesday evenings. Interns have until the end of May to complete the Core Course. Additional training/orientation may be required for some volunteer opportunities.

Core Course Study Hall. Hennepin County offers an in-person Study Hall tentatively scheduled for 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 45 minute orientation and networking sessions.

March 3, 2025:

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 7, 2025:

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 program, a volunteer becomes an Intern and complete 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, plus 12 additional hours of continuing education over and above the Core Course. After the first year, to remain certified, Master Gardener Volunteers complete 12 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.