Programs
Since 1979, Master Gardener volunteers have been actively involved in serving Florida residents through volunteering with the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
MGVs are both teachers and students
In return for training, Master Gardener volunteers serve 75 volunteer hours assisting extension agents in providing research-based horticulture education to Florida residents. MGVs share their extensive knowledge through plant clinics, presentations, and hands-on workshops. Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office to see what programs are being held in your community.
Master Gardener volunteers can renew their certification by participating in 10 learning hours and completing 35 volunteer hours each year. They must also adhere to the Master Gardener policies. The state office provides guidelines as to what qualifies as a volunteer hour, but the county coordinator provides final approval of volunteer hours. Florida Master Gardener volunteers use “Better Impact,” a volunteer management system (VMS) to record hours, sign up for events, and receive documents. If you are an MGV and have questions about using Better Impact, contact your county coordinator for help.
Webinars
Webinars provide a convenient and free professional development option for people who want to learn new strategies and tools without taking time off work and paying travel expenses. Each hour-long session will be recorded and available on our website to view whenever you’d like.
Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Conference
The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Advanced Training Conference brings the horticulture volunteers of UF/IFAS the most up-to-date, relevant, and interesting information that will help them make a difference. The 39th Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Continued Training Conference will be held October 2024 in Orlando.
Sessions from the 2022 MGV conference are now available for viewing on our YouTube channel.
International Master Gardener Conference
The International Master Gardener Conference (IMGC) has been held every two years since 1987. The IMGC provides an opportunity for Master Gardener volunteers and state and county coordinators to come together and learn through seminars and tours, celebrate successes through the International Search for Excellence Program, and meet and network with volunteers, faculty, and staff from across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. The 2025 International Master Gardener Conference will be hosted virtually by the Texas Master Gardener program on August 25-28, 2025.
Plant Identification and Judging Competition
During the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer conference, teams of Master Gardener volunteers from different counties compete against each other in the 4-H plant identification and judging competition. The teams must successfully identify a number of different plant samples, as well as judge specific plant specimens on their appearance and vigor.
The winning county receives a plaque and their county name is added to the Dean’s Award plaque, which is posted in McCarty Hall.
Participants benefit from the added plant knowledge and can help prepare youth to participate in competitions that take place at the 4-H Congress and at other times throughout the state.
Florida Plant ID Learning Module
The Florida Plant ID learning module is used by MGVs and students to prepare for competition, but all Florida plant enthusiasts will find it educational. Images and information on 200 vegetables, fruits, flowers, and landscape plants are included.
The Master Gardener Legacy Fund
The Master Gardener Legacy Fund was created to provide financial support to Master Gardener Volunteer programs throughout Florida. As the Master Gardener Legacy Fund endowment grows, so grows the financial support we will be able to provide to county Master Gardener Volunteer projects across the state.
Counties can apply annually to receive grants for new or continuing educational projects. Money will be awarded by the UF/IFAS Florida Statewide Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator and a review committee.
Please consider donating. Learn more by contacting Caylin Hilton, Director of Development at (352) 392-5432 or send her an email to learn more about planned giving options.