About the Master Gardener Program
Do you love to garden? Is a long afternoon in the sun and soil with fellow community members your idea of a perfect day? Are you deeply curious about the natural world and passionate about caring for our natural resources? Are you excited to share your love of gardening through education in your community? If the answer to all these questions is YES, then the Master Gardener Program might be for you!
The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program that supports the outreach mission of the Penn State Extension by utilizing unbiased, research-based information to educate the public and our communities on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship.
No prior experience is required, as all volunteers go through 40-60 hours of Basic Training in horticulture science. Trainees must also complete 50 hours of volunteer service and complete a final project within their first year to achieve their official Master Gardener certification. Master Gardeners maintain their certification by completing 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education each year.
There is an application, a course fee, and an interview/selection process to join the Penn State Master Gardener program in Montgomery County. Classes are held both online and in person. Access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone is necessary to complete the course.
The Master Gardener Program of Montgomery is expanding its county-wide coverage, and volunteer projects are distributed throughout the County.
When asked why they wanted to join the program, nearly every Master Gardener cites a passion for volunteering, a love of learning, and the desire to share horticultural knowledge with others. If you fit that description, you, too, can become a Master Gardener!
How to Become a Master Gardener
Montgomery County will be offering a training class for the 2026-2027 year; however, applications are now closed (6/22/26).
If you would like to be considered for future classes, please click here to add your name to our interest list. More information regarding the application process will be shared with you.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for information about the schedule and format of our training.
For specific questions not in the FAQ, please contact the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, Jaz Popa (she/her) at kjp6287@psu.edu
