Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Dear Prospective Master Gardener Volunteer,

Thank you for your interest in the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program! You will find the information below useful to you in understanding the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program, as well as the role and responsibilities of a Master Gardener Volunteer. It will also give you insight into the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, how it functions, and how Master Gardener Volunteers operate as part of the Extension Service.

This year we will select 30 people from Seminole County to participate in the Master Gardener Volunteer training program scheduled to begin January 6th of 2025. Seminole County will be offering a flipped classroom, with online lectures available each week for our students to watch, and a once a week in person class on Monday nights from 5:30pm-7pm for hands on activities. The class will run for twelve weeks. Classes will be held at 250 W. County Home Road, Sanford, FL.

In order to be considered for this year's program, you will need to do several things:

• Study the information below
• Complete the Application form by October 13th, 2024.
• Set up an interview date on October 14th - 18th with Kaydie McCormick (kmccormick@seminolecountyfl.gov) 

Once accepted into the program

• Send a check made out to University of Florida for $250.00 by December 6th. This fee covers the materials you will use during training.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 407-665-5558 or kmccormick@seminolecountyfl.gov.  I look forward to meeting you in person in the near future.

Sincerely,

Kaydie McCormick

UF/IFAS Extension, Seminole County

Residential Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator

If you would like to learn more about the program before applying and meet some of our Master Gardener Volunteers, please join us at our annual Master Gardener Volunteer Information Session and Meet & Greet on October 11th, 2024. You can register for the free event at: https://mgvmeet.eventbrite.com

Class Planning and Structure

The Seminole County Training Class is offered once a year, beginning in January.

• In Even years the class is held in person for 12 weeks
  • The class meets once a week from 9am - 4pm
  • The class fee is TBD and covers materials, instruction, and travel expenses for guest speakers
  • The next Even year is 2026
• In Odd years the class is held as a flipped classroom for 12 weeks
  • Lectures each week are pre-recorded for students to watch in their free time
  • One evening a week there is a 90 minute hands on class in person
  • The class fee is $250 and covers materials and instruction
  • The next Odd year is 2025

If you would like to pay for the class using a payment plan, or discuss other arrangements, please let Kaydie know during your interview. We typically have funds for 1-2 full or partial scholarships per year.