Do you want to learn more about gardening while making a meaningful difference in your community? The Monroe County Master Gardener Volunteer Program offers an opportunity to do exactly that!
What is the Master Gardener Volunteer Program?
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program trains residents to become trusted sources of research-based horticultural information in their communities. Volunteers are the heart of the UF/IFAS Extension service. Trained Master Gardeners help ensure that accurate, relevant information reaches as many people as possible, offering education through workshops, classes, plant clinics, demonstration gardens, writing, one-on-one consultations, and more! Their work supports UF/IFAS Extension’s mission to provide quality, relevant education and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy.
Master Gardener Volunteers come from all walks of life. Some are long-time gardeners; others are curious learners with a passion for the environment and a desire to give back. Regardless of experience level, participants share a common goal: helping their communities grow greener, healthier, and more resilient. Volunteers empower neighbors to embrace sustainable gardening practices, protect water quality, conserve resources, and create landscapes that are beautiful, resilient, and ecologically valuable.
The benefits of volunteering extend beyond impacts on others and the environment. Research consistently shows that volunteering improves quality of life for those who serve. Volunteers have reported feeling less time-constrained and more fulfilled than those who spend their free time only on themselves (Mogilner et al, 2012). Volunteering is also associated with improved physical and mental health, including lower rates of depression, greater functional ability later in life, and even potential reductions in the risk of heart disease (Corporation for National and Community Service, 2007).
History and Impacts
The Master Gardener Volunteer Program has a rich history rooted in community. The program originated in 1972, when a Washington State Extension agent recognized that trained volunteers could help answer the growing number of gardening questions coming from residents. By 1979, Florida launched its own Master Gardener Program, with pilot programs in Dade, Manatee, and Brevard counties. Today, the program exists in all 50 states, Canada, and several other countries.
The impacts of this volunteer network are remarkable. In 2025 alone, Master Gardener Volunteers across the United States directly served 5.4 million community members through help desks, plant clinics, presentations, and outreach programs. In the same year, volunteers contributed more than 5.1 million service hours and helped establish more than 4,500 garden projects, including pollinator gardens, food gardens, and environmentally resilient landscapes.
Here in Monroe County, Master Gardener Volunteers help residents make informed landscaping decisions, improve environmental stewardship, and foster stronger connections with our unique island ecosystems.
If the Master Gardener program sounds right for you, now is the time to get involved!
Applications are open for the 2027 Monroe County Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program.
During the 13-week training program, participants explore topics in horticulture, soil science, plant nutrition, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, integrated pest management, plant pathology, and more. Each week brings new discoveries and practical knowledge that can be applied at home and shared throughout the community.
The training will be led by the Monroe County Environmental Horticulture Agent, with guest appearances from current Master Gardener Volunteers and various experts from the University of Florida. The training will run from January through April, and includes a combination of online and in-person classes held throughout the Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys, as well as two full-day field trips.
An optional information session for prospective applicants will be held via Zoom on October 15th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
No matter your experience level, everyone has something valuable to contribute. Becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer allows you to continue learning, connect with like-minded individuals, and give back to your community.
To learn more about the 2027 Monroe County Master Gardener Volunteer Program, contact Environmental Horticulture Agent, Liah Continentino: Continentino-liah@monroecounty-fl.gov / 305-998-9580
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