2025 Master Gardener Active Certification

2025 Recertification

Thank you for electing to maintain your Master Gardener Active Certification. UConn Master Gardeners who maintain their Active Certification are highly valued associates, critical to the success of our volunteer-based program and important resources in the community.

Active Certified Master Gardeners are representatives of the University of Connecticut, following university policies, and working under the supervision of a University of Connecticut staff member. In this capacity, they continue to provide free, unbiased, research-based information consistent with the recommendations of the University of Connecticut and other land grant institutions.

Active Certified Master Gardeners are insured by the University of Connecticut's liability policy when volunteering for authorized projects in the community, at local Extension Centers, the Bartlett Arboretum, and other University sites.

Active Certified Master Gardeners may also be entitled to tax deductions for mileage associated with travel to and from UConn Master Gardener-sanctioned events. (Check with your tax advisor to see if you may be eligible for federal and/or state tax deductions for travel expenses.)

We are proud of our program and its positive impact on the citizens of Connecticut. Thank you for your continued commitment to its excellence and your generous volunteerism!

2024 Requirements for Active Certification through September 30, 2025

  • Complete 10 hours of community outreach and 10 office hours through one of the eight (8) county Extension offices in Connecticut or the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford. Office hours may be completed online and/or in the office.
  • Attend one Hot Topics class (3 hours) per year. This class will be offered via one live online presentation, free of charge to Active Certified Master Gardeners, to keep participants abreast of important new research information, University programs, and policy. If unable to attend a live presentation, an online presentation will be available.
  • Submit a completed online Active Certification Agreement by October 31st each year to your County Program Coordinator, including documentation of the completed 20 required volunteer hours. If the October 31st deadline is missed, you must contact your MG Coordinator by November 30th to indicate your intent and explain how you will complete the requirements  to recertify. Any recognition you have earned will be presented at a later date.
  • Register online. Upon verification of your eligibility, your Program Coordinator will provide you with an access code to register your active certification. Register in your office’s “class” at https://uconnmastergardeners.gosignmeup.com. There is a $10 annual recertification fee due by December 30th. If paid after December 30th, the Active Certification fee will increase to $25 beginning December 31st.

Reinstatement after a Lapse in Active Certification

If a Master Gardener does not meet the requirements by September 30th, but completes them the following year and would like to be reinstated, the following requirements must be met:

  • 10 office outreach hours
  • 10 community outreach hours
  • Attend one Hot Topics class
  • Recertification fee of $25.00

If the lapse in Active Certification is two or three years and the Master Gardener would like to be reinstated, the following requirements must be met:

  • 20 office outreach hours
  • 20 community outreach hours
  • Attend one Hot Topics class
  • Recertification fee of $25.00

If the lapse in Active Certification is greater than three years, recertification requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Master Gardener Active Certification is valid for one year – expiring September 30th of each year. Individuals not renewing their certification become Alumni Master Gardeners and, as such, have no annual service requirement and are not covered under UConn liability insurance. They cannot refer to themselves as a Certified UConn Master Gardener but rather as UConn Master Gardener Alumni.

Please complete the form below.

Review of Key UConn Master Gardener Policies Active Certified Master Gardeners are representatives of the University of Connecticut, following university policies, and working under the supervision of a University of Connecticut staff member. In this capacity, they continue to provide free, unbiased research-based information consistent with the recommendations of the University of Connecticut and other land grant institutions. Active Certified Master Gardeners are insured by the University of Connecticut’s liability policy when volunteering for authorized projects in the community, at local Extension Centers, the Bartlett Arboretum, and other University sites. Active Certified Master Gardeners may also be entitled to tax deductions for mileage associated with travel to and from UConn Master Gardener-sanctioned events. (Check with your tax advisor to see if you may be eligible for federal and/or state tax deductions for travel expenses.) In order to protect Active Certified Master Gardeners from liability issues in the course of their duties, the following policies must be followed:

  • Volunteers will perform duties without financial compensation or workers compensation coverage. Payment should not be requested for speaking engagements. In lieu of fees, donations to the Master Gardener Program may be accepted. Any monies collected during fundraising activities shall be turned over to the UConn Master Gardener Program.
  • Site visits to a client’s home are not a sanctioned activity and are not permitted.
  • No recommendations or endorsements of specific products or businesses should be made. Volunteers are acting as representatives of the University of Connecticut and as unbiased resources.
  • No oral recommendations for pesticides are made. If recommendations are requested, UConn factsheets or other approved, research-driven factsheets may be provided with appropriate recommendations. Clients make their own decision on usage.
  • Questions on chemical properties are referred to the National Pesticide Hotline.
  • Master Gardeners should not identify specific ticks or spiders or answer medical or legal questions.
  • Master Gardeners should not identify mushrooms or try to determine if a plant or mushroom is edible.
  • Possible poisoning cases should be immediately referred to the Poison Control Center at the UConn Health Center in Farmington or the National Poison Control Center.
  • News articles, newsletters, UConn Fact Sheets, brochures, etc. prepared by a volunteer shall be reviewed and approved by a local Master Gardener program coordinator or designated UConn Faculty/Staff member before publication to count toward volunteer hours. Articles submitted for print or publication must follow the UConn Master Gardener protocol. Coordinators shall be notified of any planned speaking engagements, including audience and topic.
  • Requests for information by newspaper reporters or other media should be referred to a local Master Gardener Program Coordinator.
  • Volunteers do not have the authority to sign contracts on behalf of the University of Connecticut or the UConn Extension Master Gardener Program.
  • To be responsible for my own behavior and uphold the high standards and expectations of the program and to be in alignment with UConn Code of Conduct; To be professional, promoting good relationships between the University and the public.
  • To present myself with courtesy and tact, with consideration and respect for other’s beliefs and opinions.
  • Failure to adhere or to comply with any of these policies may lead to termination from the program.

For a more complete discussion of policies concerning Master Gardeners and their roles in extension, contact your program coordinator for clarification.

We are proud of our program and its positive impact on the citizens of Connecticut. Thank you for your continued commitment to its excellence and your generous volunteerism!

    Please complete the form below.

     

    UConn Master Gardener 2025 Certification Online Form

    Name(Required)
    Email(Required)
    Select the Extension Office with which you affiliate. (This need not be the county in which you reside or the county where you took the class.)(Required)
    I have attended a Hot Topics this year at the following location:(Required)
    Please enter a number from 0 to 20.
    Enter 0 if you have not written any articles
    Please enter a number from 0 to 20.
    Enter 0 if you have not given any presentations
    Please enter a number from 0 to 20.
    Enter 0 if you have not participated in any media programs
    I have updated my volunteer hours, both office and outreach, in the Master Gardener (MG) Manager, www.uconnmastergardeners.com:(Required)
    Agreement(Required)
    Please review the Master Gardener policies here.
    Agreement(Required)
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.