What is the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association?

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association (NSVMGA) is a membership association that supports Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Master Gardener volunteers serving Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren counties. It leads and financially supports gardening projects, sponsors VCE home-gardening education events, coordinates the annual Master Gardener class, and offers members continuing education and fellowship. Membership is open to all certified Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in the Northern Shenandoah Valley unit, with annual dues of $20.

What the association does

NSVMGA operates as the supporting organization behind local VCE Master Gardener activity. According to the association, its main functions are to:

• Lead and financially support projects
• Sponsor VCE home-gardening education events
• Coordinate each year's Master Gardener class
• Provide members with continuing education and fellowship opportunities

It also hosts larger public events, such as the annual Garden Symposium.

Who Extension Master Gardeners are

Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are educators who volunteer within their communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management, education, and training. They are required to continue their education each year to stay current on issues and recommendations for home gardeners. The program is an educational program of VCE.

2026 Garden Symposium

The association's featured event is the 2026 Garden Symposium, themed "Planting Ideas, Harvesting Change."

The theme celebrates how ideas cultivated in gardens can create meaningful change in landscapes, communities, and the environment. Speakers include:

• Dr. Robyn Puffenbarger — Bridgewater professor and bird enthusiast, speaking on birds and making gardens more bird friendly
• Jack Monsted — Curator of the Blandy Native Plant Trail, speaking on native plants and pollinator meadows
• Kevin Rice — Entomologist with the Alson H. Smith Agricultural Research and Extension Center, speaking on insects and gardens

The symposium is described as suitable for gardeners of all experience levels and covers native plants, wildlife, insects, sustainable gardening, and general horticultural knowledge.

Who should get involved

• Certified Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in the Northern Shenandoah Valley unit can join the association for $20 in annual dues.
• Home gardeners in Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, or Warren counties can attend VCE home-gardening education events and the annual symposium.
• Anyone interested in native plants, wildlife gardening, insects, or sustainable landscaping may find the symposium relevant regardless of experience level.

For current event registration, class schedules, or membership details, check the association's website directly, since dates and ticket availability can change.