Master Gardeners

Master Gardener volunteers identify plant and insect samples, diagnose plant samples and perform soil pH testing in our Horticulture Diagnostic Lab.

The CCEDC Horticulture Hotline is open Wednesdays from 9-noon, April through October. The Hotline number is 845-677-5067. 

Samples for diagnosis may be dropped off at the Dutchess County Farm & Home Center M-F, 8:30 AM- 4 PM. Diagnosis results will be mailed within 7 days of receipt. Please call our office if you have any questions about submitting samples 845-677-8223 x115 before coming to the Farm & Home Center.

Master Gardeners are a group of trained volunteers who work in partnership with their county Cooperative Extension office to extend information throughout the county. The first MG program was started in Washington state in 1972. Dutchess County was the first county in NYS (1975) to train MG volunteers. Forty six states now have MG programs with over 23,000 people participating nationwide. More than 1100 of these MGs are from NYS.

There are currently 90 active MG volunteers in Dutchess County.

       2020 MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER TRAINING HAS BEEN DEFERRED TO 2022. CHECK BACK IN SPRING FOR MORE DETAILS.

• CCEDC MG Volunteer Activities
• Community Horticulture Program
• Testimonials
• Qualifications to become a Master Gardener Volunteer
• CCEDC Master Gardener Volunteer Guidelines
• Training information   
• How to Apply
• MG Application
• Reference Questionnaire

Our program is funded through volunteer fundraising efforts and from donations from the public. To make a tax deductable gift (we are a 501(c)(3) organization) , please send your check to Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, 2715 Rt 44, Suite 1, Millbrook, NY, 12545. Checks should be made out to CCEDC and sent to the attention of Samantha Vacchio. Please be sure to include a note stating that you would like your gift to be directed towards the Community Horticulture Program (Master Gardeners). Thank you!

Last updated March 29, 2021