2027 Brevard County Master Gardener Volunteer Program (Info Page)

Become a UF/IFAS Brevard County Master Gardener Volunteer! This is an interest request page just to get more information for you and from you about joining us!

Do you enjoy gardening, making new friends, and learning new things? Join the UF/IFAS Brevard County Master Gardener Volunteer Program and turn your passion into a way to give back to your community!

🌿 What is the Master Gardener Program?

The Master Gardener program was created in 1972 in Seattle, Washington, by two extension agents. They were looking for ways to meet the needs of backyard gardeners. They felt that well-trained volunteers could help with many of the day-to-day homeowner questions they received. Since then, there is now a Master Gardener program in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program relies on trained and dedicated volunteers interested in gardening and giving back to their communities, benefiting both UF/IFAS Extension and the residents of Florida.

In 1979, three counties in Florida, one of which was Brevard County, held Master Gardener classes for the first time. The Mission of the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is “To assist Extension Agents in providing research-based horticultural education to Florida residents.” The Vision is “to be the most trusted resource for horticulture education in Florida.” Out of 67 Florida counties, 60 counties maintain an active Master Gardener program with a total of over 4,000 volunteers throughout the state.

📅 Class Options for 2027

We’re offering two class formats to fit your schedule:

Wednesday In-Person Class: will be held on 11 Wednesdays beginning in January at the extension office located at 3695 Lake Dr., Cocoa, FL 32926. Saturday Class is also available!

Cost: $250 | Attendance: NOTE: Only 2 classes out of 11 can be missed.

*We will need an application before payment can be accepted. You will be contacted about a short survey/interview to make sure this is the best fit for you because it does require volunteer hours!

Volunteer Requirement: 75 hours in Year 1, 35 annually after

🌟 Why Join?

• Learn valuable, science-based horticulture skills
• Connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts
• Improve your physical and mental well-being
• Make a lasting impact in your community

🤚Ready to Apply?

Email us directly at brevard-mg1@ifas.ufl.edu and let us know whether you're interested in the Wednesday or Saturday class. We will send you an application to fill out. After submitting your application, we’ll schedule a brief interview so you can learn more and ask questions. Or if you sign up through Eventbrite, we will send you an application via email.

If you have any questions, please contact us at brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or call (321) 633-1702

To learn more about the Master Gardener Program and its history, visit: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/about/