The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer program is now accepting applications for 2025! This training course will prepare you to become a volunteer focused on providing educational experiences for the community in a variety of ways including school gardens, teaching workshops, and developing our educational demonstration gardens. Applications are due by July 15th, 2025 and are available at https://bttr.im/9zxxi . This program is limited to Clay County residents only, reach out to your county’s Extension office to inquire about their Master Gardener Volunteer program if you reside elsewhere.

We are also hosting two interest meetings in June about the program with the first at noon on June 17th at the Extension office (2463 SR16W, Green Cove Springs, FL, register at https://ClayMasterGardenerTraining2025.eventbrite.com) and an online option at 5:00pm on June 18th (register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-ufifas-extension-clay-county-master-gardener-interest-meeting-2-tickets-1311796822609?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Following a review of applications, we will be contacting applicants in July to schedule interviews prior to acceptance into the course and program. Upon acceptance, there is a $125 fee for the course to cover the cost of resources books and some class supplies. The course itself will start in late September and will meet on Tuesdays and Fridays a total of 7 times over 4 weeks. There is also an online portion of the course that will supplement in-person activities and provides more opportunities for hands-on activities and a few fun field trips to gain further skills and experience. Topics covered in the class will include botany, pest control, landscape design and maintenance, creating and presenting workshops, working within the Master Gardener Volunteer program, palms, turf, fertilizer, and more.

After completing the class you will join our amazing group of over 70 volunteers in serving our community by providing research-based education and consultations in their gardens and landscapes. In the first year to become fully certified as a volunteer you will be asked to provide 75 total hours of service in approved projects and then 35 volunteer hours and 10 additional training hours each year for recertification.

For any questions about the program, please email Wayne Hobbs at whhobbs@ufl.edu or call (904)284-6355.

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