Our Mission

Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County are Ohio State University Extension-trained volunteers empowered to educate residents of Cuyahoga County with timely, environmentally sound, research-based gardening information. We are affiliated with Ohio State University Extension, part of the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Science.

Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

MGCC embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all our education programs are available to individuals on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteran’s status.

Become a Master Gardener

Think you may be interested in becoming a Master Gardener? If you would like information on our next class, please sign up here.

Master Gardener Volunteer Basic Training

Typically, Master Gardener training programs are held once per year. Becoming a Master Gardener begins with an application process. Interested individuals are required to:

  1. Attend a scheduled information session prior to applying.
  2. Complete an application through our online portal.
  3. Provide references.
  4. Complete an interview.

Individuals who are accepted into the program must attend Basic Training sessions. The focus of the training program is on basic horticultural skills that are needed to assist the gardening public. All information and techniques presented in the training program are based on the latest research conducted by the Ohio State University and other leading educational institutions. There will be a final, open-book exam to complete the formal training. New Master Gardeners are awarded their diplomas at our annual meeting.

Topics covered in training include:

  • botany
  • soil
  • entomology
  • plant pathology
  • integrated pest management
  • plant propagation
  • houseplants
  • herbs
  • vegetables
  • fruit
  • woody and herbaceous ornamentals
  • invasive species
  • wildlife management in the garden
  • lawns

Once individuals complete basic training, they are required to fulfill their volunteer commitment. During the first (intern) year, 50 volunteer hours are required to officially become a Master Gardener Volunteer. Volunteer opportunities abound! Share your horticultural knowledge with the community through established Master Gardener programs. After the intern year, Master Gardener maintain their active status by fulfilling annual requirements that include 25 volunteer hours and 10 continuing education hours.

If you would like information on our next class, please sign up here.