Become a Master Gardener

Do you have a green thumb? Do you enjoy digging in the dirt? Have you just moved to the area and want to learn about the specifics of Central Virginia gardening? Are you interested in learning how to care for your landscape or grow your own vegetables?

If so, then you might be interested in becoming a Virginia Master Gardener!

You Need the Hill City Master Gardener Association!

Follow us on Facebook at: Hill City Master Gardener Association

Class of 2024 Dates:

The Application form for the 2024 class is now available.
[Please read the instruction before following the link.]

http://bttr.im/ahv4m

Our admissions space is limited.  In the event the class fills prior to application deadline, we will be happy to add your name to our wait-list for 2025 classes.

• Application Instructions/How to Apply [Download the Application Instructions Here] Read all of the information on this webpage: “Become a Master Gardener” By clicking on the link provided, or scanning the QR code, you will be directed to My Impact/Better Impact system to fill out your application. Start by filling in your information on the left side of the page if you are new to Better Impact. You will create your own Username and password. Please remember your log in information.  If accepted, you will need this in the future.   Please fill in your information. The fields marked with a flag are required fields. Click Save and Continue. Note: For Date of Birth: Do not use calendar. Type in mm/dd/yyyy. Click SUBMIT once you have completed the application. Ask two people to list as references (friends, coworkers, etc.  Do NOT use family members as a reference.). Reference names will be listed on your application. The cost of the course is $175. In addition to the classes, this includes a digital copy of the Master Gardener Handbook, a digital copy of the Pest Management Guide (PMG), and the cost of the required background check (many of our service activities involve school-age children).  (The $12.50 fee for the background check is not refundable).  If you prefer a hard copy of the (500+ page) Handbook, it is available for individual order (additional cost) at this link: https://a.co/d/gFg9YjS Payment for HCMGA Master Gardener Training Classes should be mailed to HCMGA, PO Box 2275, Lynchburg, VA 24505. Make checks or money order payable to HCMGA.   You should receive an email verifying that your application has been submitted. NOTE: Application submission and payment do NOT guarantee acceptance.  Once your application has been reviewed, an informal interview will be scheduled, a background check will be done and references will be contacted. You will be notified once you have been accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Morris by text at 434-238-0589 or email at dmorris1220@gmail.com. As listed above, the deadline for application submission is 5 pm on January 17, 2024,and payment receipt deadline is January 31, 2024.

Who Are Master Gardeners? What Do They Do?

Master Gardeners (MGs) are volunteer educators working with Cooperative Extension Services all over the USA. In Virginia, 50 clock hours of instruction on all facets of gardening are required. After passing an exam, MGs assist the extension agent mainly by providing information and education to the public. To become full-fledged MGs, new volunteers contribute 50 approved volunteer hours during their first year following graduation from classes. Maintaining MG status then requires a minimum of 20 hours of service and 8 hours of continuing education each year.

The mission of the Virginia MG program is “Sharing Knowledge. Empowering Communities.” They adhere to three core values: respect for the environment, each other, and those we serve; accountability for wise stewardship of resources to our organization, our community, and each other; and collaboration as we willingly work with a diverse group to reach a common goal and as we actively seek out partners. The Hill City Master Gardener Association (HCMGA) is a vibrant organization that works to bring these values alive through the following programs.

For Adults

The Davis Instructional Garden:  Since 2015 the Davis Instructional Garden at Humankind has served as a community outreach program and a volunteer venue for HCMGA members.  In the 30,000 sq foot garden there are 18 plots leased to community members to grow their own produce and 9 demonstration plots staffed by Master Gardeners. These plots are for vegetables as well as annual, perennial, and native plants and last year yielded 1500 lbs. of produce donated to various food banks. A 600 sq. foot educational pavilion was erected in 2022 to serve as a site for seasonal educational programs to promote safe and sustainable horticultural practices.

Help desks were likely one of the first ways in which MGs provided service to the public. At the Lynchburg Community Market and at the VCE office, volunteers are available to answer questions or find resources for community members during the growing season. HCMGA’s Speaker’s Bureau made 48 presentations in our area in 2018 and reached an audience of 882 people. A variety of topics are available.

A group of volunteers visits an Amherst County nursing home monthly to arrange and discuss flowers. Seeing and smelling the flowers brings residents memories of their own gardens. The home visit team helps answer questions and gives guidance on solving problems. If you are wondering about good place to plant a tree or why the grass won’t grow, a home visit can be arranged.

 At Jefferson’s Lynchburg retreat, Poplar Forest Interpretive Garden shows a sampling of some of the common vegetables and herbs of that era. It is open to the public during the growing season. Working with garden clubs, scouts, and others, HCMGA is spearheading the Amherst Depot Pollinator Garden at the Amherst Visitors’ Center.

In Our Local Schools

School programs are currently on hiatus.  The following describes our programs prior to COVID restrictions.  We hope to have them up and running again soon.

In Lynchburg, fourth graders at five elementary schools participate in three programs each year. With emphasis on skills required for Science Standards of Learning, the programs center on soils, house plants, and growing annual plants.  At the house plants program, each student pots and takes home a spider plant to grow.

Project Learning Tree provides seven monthly programs on such topics as “Water Wonders”, “Every Tree for Itself’, and “Earth Manners.” It brings excitement to third graders at Amherst County elementary schools. Students learn about their environment and the importance of caring for it.

 MGs at Bedford Hills Elementary School support a program that begins with kindergarten classes planting sunflowers and morning glories, first grade growing zinnias, and second grade planting and eating salad in the spring and corn, lima beans, and pumpkins in the fall. At Amherst County HS, MGs work with Environmental Science classes to study and maintain school gardens.

Summer Vegetable Gardens

Called “summer” gardens, the activities begin in early spring at Boys & Girls Club, Jubilee Family Center, the Juvenile Detention Center, and DePaul Community Resources. They begin with early crops (potatoes, onions, lettuce, and radishes). Summer crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, melons, etc.) go into the ground when soil has  warmed. At most gardens, some produce is cooked and sampled after harvesting while the remainder is sent home.

 Other Activities

The Cooperative Extension office also requests help from MG for special projects. Among these are Reality Store projects at local high schools, the “Grow and Give” garden sponsored by Churches for Urban Ministry, providing assistance and direction at Lynchburg Parks & Rec‘s gardens, and judging Science Fair projects.

Master Gardeners are members of the community who take an active interest in gardening; they are enthusiastic, willing to learn and to help others. In addition, they communicate with diverse groups of people.