Become a Master Gardener

How to become part of the VCE Southside Master Gardener Association

Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) will be taking applications for the Master Gardener Course for 2026. The Master Gardener Program is a two-part educational and volunteer effort, in which avid gardeners are provided 50 hours of quality horticulture training, after which they participate in gardening and horticultural education activities in their community through the Halifax County Virginia Extension Master Gardener unit.

Master Gardeners take part in a variety of gardening and gardening related activities, including exhibits and demonstrations at farmers’ markets, state parks, and the local botanical gardens, school and community gardening, public education programs, diagnostic services, horticultural research & evaluation, and many other projects.

Classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm every Saturday, starting February 14, 2026, through June 13, 2026 at the South Boston Halifax County Museum. This is a great opportunity for novice or experienced gardeners/landowners to learn more and to give back to their community through shared education.

Applications are available at the VCE office in Halifax and at this link. For more information, call the VCE office at 434-476-2147, option 0 or 434-830-3383. You may also contact Lee Baldwin, President, SSMGA at 919-623-3556. The cost of the Master Gardener class for 2026 remains $165.00.

The VCE website includes further information at https://halifax.ext.vt.edu/news/Extension-Master-Gardener-Volunteers.html

Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners (VCE-MGs) are volunteers with Extension, dedicated to working with the community to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management educational programs.

To earn the title Extension Master Gardener, individuals complete 50 hours of training in all aspects of horticulture education and pass a written exam. As a condition of the training program, within the next year, each participant contributes 50 hours of volunteer time in horticulture activities and programming for the community. To maintain the title of Extension Master Gardener in subsequent years, volunteers must contribute a minimum of 20 hours along with eight hours of continuing education each subsequent year.

Activities include:

answering citizens’ questions on gardening and diagnosis of plant problems
conducting winter gardening workshops
staffing information booths at various community events
maintaining educational and community gardens
sharing gardening experiences in schools, hospitals, and communities

Virginia Cooperative Extension, as well as the SSMGA, offers several great opportunities to gain the required continuing education each year. Becoming a Master Gardener will provide unlimited opportunity to increase your horticultural knowledge and experience through fun and exciting activities.

Information is available now to secure your place in our next training class (Saturdays starting February 14, 2026).

For more information call Virginia Cooperative Extension-Halifax at 434-476-2147, option 0, (434) 830-3383, or Lee Baldwin at (919) 623-3556, and we will be happy to contact you to answer your questions.

Download the application to become a Master Gardener here.

Please mail your completed application, along with a check for $165.00 made out to SSMGA
Mailing address is SSMGA, P.O. Box 757, Halifax, VA 24558-0757
Applications can be delivered in person to the Halifax VCE office, 171 South Main Street, Halifax, VA 24558
Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2026