Do you have a strong interest in gardening? Are you a life-long learner? Do you want to help others and share your gardening enthusiasm and knowledge? Then consider becoming a Penn State Master Gardener.
Outreach at the Ligonier Country Market. Photo Credit: Patti Schildkamp, Penn State Master Gardener
CLOSED - the Penn State Extension Master Gardener application process in Westmoreland County for the class of 2025 is closed. The application for the class of 2026 will open sometime in January 2025.
This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge.
- Weekly classes will start in October 2024 on Thursday evenings, 6 - 8:15 PM.
- Classes will be held online via Zoom.
- 40 hours of training are provided, including botany, plant diseases, soil health, pruning, lawn care, ornamentals, and more.
- Access to a stable internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone is required to complete the course.
- During training, in-person sessions will be held on select Saturday mornings and weekday evenings. These sessions will include hands-on labs, tours of the demonstration gardens, and/or learning about the Master Gardener projects.
Candidates must agree to volunteer 50 hours to the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program during the first year. In subsequent years, 20 hours of volunteer time and 10 hours of continuing education are required to maintain the Master Gardener certification. Volunteer activities currently carried out by the Master Gardeners include planting and maintaining demonstration gardens, consultations on various public gardens, including community gardens, answering garden-related questions on the Garden Hotline, and teaching about plants to youth, among others.
There is a program fee of $200 to cover the cost of training materials, including the award-winning Master Gardener Manual (textbook), hands-on materials, and other expenses.
The mission of the Penn State Master Gardener volunteer program is to support Penn State Extension by utilizing research-based information to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship. Learn more about how to become a Penn State Master Gardener.
The application for Westmoreland County is usually open from mid-January to mid-May 2024. Selected applicants will have an interview in June. You will get an interview schedule invitation at the beginning of June if you are selected, not before. Those who are accepted into the training will know by late June/early July. We get quite a number of applicants and only select around 20 each year to ensure a quality experience and adequate support.
Please contact Mandy L. Smith at mls302@psu.edu or 724.837.1402.
