Who Are Master Gardener Volunteers?
Master Gardener Volunteers share an enthusiasm for gardening in its many forms and for landscaping and protecting the environment.
Some Master Gardener Volunteers have created successful gardens at home, while others are relative newcomers to gardening who want to enhance their knowledge through training in the Master Gardener Volunteer program.
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Many Master Gardener Volunteers work at jobs full time; others are retired or working part time. All enjoy the rigors and rewards of gardening as well as making friends and acquaintances with common interests.
Join Us
Virginia Master Gardener Volunteers
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The Rockbridge Area Master Gardener Volunteer program is a part of Virginia Master Gardeners, an educational program of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). In turn, VCE is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the United States Department of Agriculture, plus state and local governments. Virginia Tech and Virginia State University spends considerable money and energy on horticultural research, finding better methods and plants for the gardener and ways to protect the environment. Virginia Cooperative Extension and Master Gardening serve to educate the public on the results of this research.
Master Gardener Volunteer programs are active in many states. There are sixty-two units in Virginia, all working with Virginia Cooperative Extension in various ways and with the state-level organization, the Virginia Master Gardener Association.
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Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.
Testimonials
"The absolute highlight of being an MG is the time spent with more seasoned Master Gardeners, gleaning as much as I can from their wisdom and experience. There is also tremendous camaraderie and fellowship at our events that I wouldn’t miss for the world! (AND then there is the FOOD at MG picnics…)"
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Class of 2022, Shana Shutler
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"I’ve enjoyed conversing with other plant nerds and continuously learning more about the native plants of our area. The occasional free plant is certainly an added bonus!"
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Class of 2022, Bugs Utsey​
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 Laurie Bassi"Becoming a Master Gardener is one of the best things I have done for myself in a very long time. The learning resources are extremely well-organized and have given me a better-informed, and sustainable lens through which to view the natural world. And as a newcomer to the area, RAMGA has provided me with a ready-made network of kindred spirits and friends" Class of 2023, Laurie Bassi |  Marybeth Sharkey"Being a Master Gardener has enabled me to meet and work with some incredibly talented and delightful people in Rockbridge. Applying what I’ve learned to challenges at approved projects, has been rewarding - working with nature, getting my hands in the soil always puts a smile on my face!" Class of 2023, Marybeth Sharkey |  Kaila Holmes"The best thing for me has been to be part of a community where you are learning among your peers. We can be all ages, walks of life, different knowledge or expertise, and we get to call each other friend. I LOVE IT!" Class of 2020 Kaila Holmes |  Hailey Huffman"Master Gardeners has given me the opportunity to grow as a person, continue my education, and to find a community that is fun and caring. I am so glad that I found that in RAMGA and I hope others can too!" Class of 2023 Haley Huffman |
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 Jen Coluzzi"Master Gardeners introduced me to a community of people who know way more about gardening than I do, who have shared support, knowledge, and plants with me!" Class of 2020, Jen Coluzzi |  Margaret Herman"Master Gardener Training provides great opportunities to get involved with people and projects in Rockbridge - especially appealing to this recent ‘transplant’. Good content, endless resources, but most importantly, wonderful people committed to learning and working together" Class of 2023, Margaret Herman |