Do you have a passion for gardening and a desire to give back to your community? Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
This comprehensive training and volunteer program equips local residents with the science-based knowledge, skills and support to become community educators in gardening, horticulture and sustainable landscaping practices.
The application deadline is Sept. 15, 2025.
Master Gardener Volunteers are trained through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, covering topics such as soil health and composting; plant diagnostics and pest management; vegetable and flower gardening; native plants and pollinators; and environmental stewardship.
Following training, participants volunteer their time to support community gardening initiatives. To fulfill their commitment, Master Gardeners have in the past worked in the office to test soil samples, maintained files of gardening information, answered gardening questions, taught gardening classes, organized and participate in programs and events and spoken or demonstrated to groups. New program initiatives also are welcomed!
Anyone interested in horticulture and community service is encouraged to apply. No advanced gardening experience is required.
Classes will take place virtually on Wednesday evenings from 6 – 8 p.m. from Oct. 1 – March 2026, with some local meetings and a few field trips within our region. The cost of the program training is $250.
Applications can be filled out online or downloaded at https://bit.ly/CCEHCMG or in-person at the CCE Herkimer office at 5657 State Route 5, Herkimer, NY.
For more information contact Executive Director Garet Livermore at gdl56@cornell.edu or CCE Herkimer at 315.866.7920 or herkimer@cornell.edu.
