Master Gardener Volunteer & Home Horticulture Training

Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who provide educational information to Cooperative Extension clientele. They undergo intensive training.

Course topics include basic botany; climate and soils; composting; water and irrigation; ecosystems and native plants; plant selection, planting, staking and pruning; woody plants (fruit and ornamentals); vegetables and annuals; weed management; wildlife damage control; plant diseases; entomology; integrated pest management and pesticide safety.
The primary focus of the volunteer work is providing science-based horticultural information to the community. Some examples of volunteer work are:

•    staffing horticulture help lines in the Cooperative Extension offices
•    giving talks, demonstrations, etc. to groups
•    sharing horticulture information at festivals, farmers' markets, etc.
•    assisting students in school wildlife habitats
•    providing horticultural advice to individuals, groups, and establishment

2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Training - This 17 session class will be held in Prescott and begins on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.  The sessions will be held on Wednesdays. from 9:00am to 12:30pm. Please submit your application by December 1, 2024.  Additional Information   Application

Home Horticulture Classes are held via Zoom each Fall for those who would like to learn science-based gardening practices, with no volunteer commitment.  Please email Mary Barnes at barnesm@arizona.edu for more information.