Do you have a strong interest in gardening? Are you a life-long learner? Do you want to help others and share your gardening enthusiasm and knowledge? Then consider becoming a Penn State Master Gardener.
Penn State Master Gardeners at the New Kensington Campus.
The 2027 Penn State Master Gardeners of Westmoreland County Basic Training Application is now closed. The 2028 Application will be available in January 2027.
This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide home gardeners, of all levels, with the knowledge and skills needed to share their expertise.
- Weekly classes will start on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 6-8:15 PM and continue on Thursday evenings through March 2027.
- Classes will be held online via Zoom.
- 40 hours of training are provided, covering topics such as botany, plant diseases, soil health, pruning, lawn care, ornamentals, and more. Sessions are presented by Extension educators with an emphasis on science- and research-based information.
- Access to a stable internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone is required to complete the course.
- There will be an orientation session in September 2026.
- During training, in-person sessions will be held on select Saturday mornings and weekday evenings. These sessions will include hands-on labs, tours of the demonstration gardens, and/or learning about the Master Gardener projects.
Candidates must agree to volunteer 50 hours to the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program during the first year. In subsequent years, 20 hours of volunteer time and 10 hours of continuing education are required to maintain the Master Gardener certification. Volunteer activities currently carried out by the Master Gardeners include planting and maintaining demonstration gardens, providing education at outreach events, answering garden-related questions on the Garden Hotline, and teaching youth about plants, among others.
There is a program fee of $275 to cover the cost of training materials, including the award-winning Master Gardener Manual (textbook), hands-on materials, and other expenses.
The mission of the Penn State Master Gardener volunteer program is to support Penn State Extension by utilizing research-based information to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship. Learn more about how to become a Penn State Master Gardener.
The application for the program will be open from January through May, 2027. Selected applicants will have an interview in June. They will receive an interview invitation at the beginning of June if they are selected, not before. Those who are accepted into the training will know by mid-July. We receive a large number of applicants and select only around 20 each year to ensure a high-quality experience and adequate support.
Please contact Mandy L. Smith at mls302@psu.edu or 724.837.1402.
