2025 Master Gardener Application

Master Gardener Volunteer Training Information

Do you want to learn how plants grow and what makes a garden healthy? Do you like helping others and sharing what you know? Then the Master Gardener volunteer training program might be right for you!

This program teaches students how to support the mission of Cooperative Extension—educating and aiding local communities in their gardening efforts. Over the course of 15 weeks, students will explore a wide range of topics through engaging classroom instruction, all grounded in research-based practices tailored to Central Kentucky.

The first half of the program will be held at the Woodford County Extension Office (184 Beasley Drive, Versailles); the second half of the program will be held at the Franklin County Extension Office (101 Lakeview Ct., Frankfort). The level of interest in our program usually exceeds the number of seats available in each class, so we will interview all candidates to find those with the most interest in long-term volunteer commitments with Cooperative Extension.

Classes meet on Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for 15 weeks beginning August 21. Students will have homework for each class and will need to collect leaves or insects outside of class. At the end of the course, students must take a test and score at least 70% to pass. Students are allowed 2 absences.

Students who pass the class become apprentice Extension Master Gardeners and must complete 40 hours of volunteer work by the end of 2026 to become a fully certified Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. To stay certified, volunteers must complete at least 20 hours of service and 10 hours of continued education units (CEU's) each year.

The cost of the Woodford/Franklin County Extension Master Gardener training program is $150.00, which includes textbooks and other materials. We do offer partial and full scholarships to the program in exchange for additional volunteer time. A full scholarship will require 80 volunteer hours. A partial scholarship requires 60 volunteer hours. Class fees are non-refundable if a student withdraws or is dismissed from the program. If you feel up to the challenge and would like to join the ranks of our highly skilled volunteers, please consider applying for the 2025 Extension Master Gardener Program. Complete the paperwork and mail or drop it off at the Woodford or Franklin County Extension Office. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 25, 2025.