Master Gardener Training

The Ohio State University Extension offices in Jefferson and Harrison Counties are currently accepting new applications for the 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer training program. Master Gardener Volunteers in Ohio contributed over 180,000 hours of service per year and offer assistance with home horticultural questions, pest identification, school programs, demonstrations, research, and continuing education programs. Participants interested in receiving the 50 hour intensive training will learn about basic botany, plant physiology, soils, entomology, plant pathology, plant diagnostics, integrated pest management, pesticide use and safety, lawn care, home vegetable and fruit production, backyard wildlife management and much more! Working with county Ohio State Extension personnel, Master Gardener Volunteers provide educational services to their communities. If you are a garden enthusiast, this is a great opportunity to share your gardening know-how and skills with others in your community. Cost of the program is $125 for those interested in the program.

**The 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer training in 2025 will consist of both online modules, hands-on labs and tours, and either a writing or presentation project. Participants will be expected to attend a minimum of 5 labs but can pick and choose either by topic or date that best fits into your schedule. Labs will be held in the spring and fall. See below for the 2025 lab schedule:

Date Location Topic
March 21st 1-4PM TBA Introduction to the Master Gardener Program
March 25th 5-8PM TBA Botany Lab
March 28th 1-4PM TBA Plant Propagation Lab
April 1st 5-8PM TBA Fruit & Veg Production Lab
April 4th 1-4PM TBA Plant Diagnostics Lab
April 8th 5-8PM TBA Landscape Design Lab
September 15th 1-4PM TBA Tree & Shrub Identification Lab
September 17th 5-8PM TBA Soils Lab
September 22nd 1-4PM TBA Plant Diagnostics Lab
September 24th 5-8PM TBA Turf and Landscaping Practices Lab
September 29th 1-4PM TBA Invasive Species Lab

 

CURRENT JEFFERSON & HARRISON MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER PROJECTS:

  • Library horticulture presentations and demonstrations
  • Farm-to-School education
  • Seed diversity education and distribution
  • Native plants education
  • Farmers' market garden booths and demonstrations
  • Invasive species scouting and education
  • Spring horticultural symposium
  • Plant sales

 

To become a Jefferson/Harrison County Master Gardener Volunteer:

1.  Submit an application to the OSU Extension office through HandsOn Connect at https://mgvolunteers.osu.edu/onboardingprocess.

2.  Interview

3.  Complete 50 hours of intensive training your first year

4.  Complete a background check.

5.  Complete 50 hours of volunteer service your first year

6.  To remain an active member after the first year, complete 10 continuing education hours, 20 hours of volunteer service on a yearly basis, pay a $10 State Support fee, and review policies on a yearly basis.

 

Forms and Documents:

 

Questions about the OSU Master Gardener Volunteer Program? Reach out to Erika Lyon at 740-461-6136 or email lyon.194@osu.edu.