Penn State Extension Master Gardener course starting soon
Have you considered becoming a Penn State Extension Master Gardener, but don’t know where to begin?
Attend an information session at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, or Monday, June 8, at Butler Memorial Park’s Lori K. Bauer Shelter to learn more about this exciting opportunity to serve the Butler County community.
The Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate the public and our communities on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners in Butler County contribute to the program’s mission throughout the year.
Butler County Master Gardeners are shining examples of the power of volunteerism. The Butler County program was founded in 1991.
There are 146 Master Gardener volunteers, including 19 Master Gardeners who completed their training program this spring. The Master Gardeners completed 5,601 volunteer hours and 1,592 hours of advanced education in 2025-26 through dedicated community outreach.
Trained volunteers answered hundreds of community questions. The Master Gardeners also taught gardening and poison prevention to students at eleven community schools. The writing team published 22 educational articles in the Butler Eagle.
The eight Butler County educational gardens comprise over 40,000 square feet of volunteer demonstration gardens.
Across the state, 3,966 Master Gardener volunteers dedicated 243,125 hours of volunteer service, resulting in an $8.45 million impact.
Coordinated by Penn State Extension, the Penn State Master Gardener Program provides horticultural training to interested individuals in exchange for a volunteer time commitment.
To be considered for the Master Gardener training program, an application and a virtual interview are required. A Master Gardener completes 40 classroom hours in various subjects, including entomology, botany, soil science, pesticide safety, plant propagation and communication skills, taught by university and extension professionals.
Once accepted into the training program, the Master Gardener apprentice pays a nominal fee of $275 for instruction, program material and a manual. A computer or electronic device and reliable internet access are required for participation in the training.
This year’s training program begins on our Welcome Night in September and ends in March 2027. Training is delivered as a hybrid class, with the Thursday evening lessons offered remotely. Supplemental opportunities to learn as a group, including additional hands-on instruction and activities, are also required.
All Master Gardeners must complete the required classwork, score a passing grade on an examination administered by Penn State Extension, and fulfill 50 volunteer hours to obtain certification. In subsequent years, Master Gardener volunteers continue to serve their community and advance their horticulture knowledge each year to maintain certification.
Master Gardeners of Butler County can be contacted through the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7, or by email at Butlermg@psu.edu.
Diane Dallos is an Extension Educator with Penn State Extension, Butler County, serving as Master Gardener Coordinator.
