Union County seeks volunteers for 2025 Master Gardener training program

The Union County Board of County Commissioners has announced that the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is seeking volunteers for its 2025 Master Gardener training program, set to begin in January. The program offers residents interested in horticulture and gardening an opportunity to gain valuable skills, make new connections, and contribute to their community.
Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded praised the program, stating, “The Master Gardener program offers residents the chance to learn practical horticultural skills they can apply at home and share with neighbors and friends while also benefiting the community through their volunteer efforts. This program is exceptional, and we are pleased to continue supporting its growth. We encourage gardeners of all experience levels to apply and join this wonderful community.”
This year, Union County will participate in a pilot program for the Rutgers Master Gardener Volunteer Training, which includes orientation Zoom meetings hosted by Rutgers for residents interested in becoming Master Gardeners. These sessions provide applicants with an opportunity to learn more about the program before joining.
To participate in the 2025 training program, residents must register and attend at least one of the virtual orientation sessions, offered twice a week until the beginning of December. Registration is available at njaes.rutgers.edu/master-gardeners/. Space is limited to 40 participants per session to allow for ample time for questions and discussion.
Classes will be held on Wednesday mornings at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. The course will feature horticultural training with an emphasis on the volunteer aspects of being a Rutgers Master Gardener. The classroom is conveniently located near the 1.5-acre demonstration garden and greenhouse at Trailside, maintained by Master Gardeners.
Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, emphasized the importance of volunteer work, stating, “By engaging in volunteer work, participants gain a deeper understanding of the positive impacts their contributions have on our environment and the community at large. The Master Gardener Program is one of the many volunteer opportunities offered in Union County. I encourage residents to look into the program and attend an orientation session to find out if it’s a good fit for them.”
The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County is a volunteer program offered through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, NJ Agriculture Experiment Stations, and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in cooperation with the Union County Board of County Commissioners. The program is supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board, with administrative assistance and office space in Berkeley Heights, land for the Demonstration Garden, and funding for special projects.
For more information on the 2025 Master Gardener Training Program, call 908-654-9854, ext. 2 or visit mastergardeners-uc.org. Additional information about Extension projects and activities in Union County, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards, and the 4-H youth development program, can be found at ucnj.org/rutgers-cooperative-extension-of-union-county/.
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Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.