How to Become a Master Gardener Volunteer with Hennepin County

Updated

Hennepin County Master Gardeners (HCMG) recruits volunteers who have a range of gardening experience, good communication skills, and a willingness to share knowledge with others. If that describes you, the organization's website has a "Become a Master Gardener Volunteer" section where you can learn more and start the process. The exact application steps, training requirements, and time commitment are set by the program and can change, so confirm current details on the site before you apply.

Who the program is looking for

The site states the volunteer profile plainly: people with a variety of gardening experiences, good communication skills, and an interest in sharing knowledge. You do not need to be a expert gardener to be considered — the emphasis is on range of experience and on being able to communicate with and help others.

What the volunteers actually do

HCMG describes its mission as bringing research-based horticultural information to the Hennepin County community through adult and youth educational activities. Volunteers are committed to providing high-quality, research-based horticultural information and educational activities that enhance the community's environment and quality of life. In practice, that means the role is educational and public-facing rather than a private gardening service.

How to get started

  1. Go to hennepinmastergardeners.org.
  2. Find the "Become a Master Gardener Volunteer" section on the site.
  3. Read the current volunteer information there.
  4. Follow the application or contact instructions the site provides.

The site also lists a hotline, (612) 301-7590, for gardening questions — useful if you want to see the kind of help the program provides before deciding to volunteer.

What to confirm before applying

The website's public pages describe the volunteer profile and mission but do not spell out the full application process, training schedule, or required time commitment. Before you commit, check the site for:

  • Current application deadlines and steps
  • Training requirements and format
  • Expected volunteer hours or time commitment
  • Any orientation or onboarding process

Treat the site's latest recruitment information as the authoritative source, since these details can change from year to year.

A quick way to see the program in action

HCMG runs events and maintains a blog, "Gardening Tales," covering topics like houseplants and intern experiences. Browsing upcoming events and blog posts is a low-commitment way to understand the program's style and activities before you decide whether to volunteer.