Master Gardener Program

Located just minutes from Tampa, the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County office provides comprehensive education and resources for Hillsborough County residents in the areas of gardening and landscaping, and to professionals in the horticulture service industries.

• Master Gardener Help Desk
• Join the Master Gardener Program

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program relies on dedicated volunteers who have an interest in gardening and in giving back to their communities.  The mission of the program is, “to assist Extension Agents in providing research-based horticultural education to Florida residents”.  Master Gardener Volunteers can serve as an “Extension” of the University of Florida/Hillsborough County and share that information with county residents.

Examples of volunteer projects include:

• Staff information booths at community events and festivals.
• Serve in an "ask the expert" capacity answering homeowners' call-in and walk-in questions to the Plant Clinic.
• Write horticulture-related news articles for local newspapers, and other news outlets.
• Prepare and present programs on horticultural topics to gardening clientele groups, including garden clubs, civic clubs, library plant clinics, and homeowners.
• Assist with programs that engage kids in gardening, including 4-H.
• Develop and maintain the demonstration gardens around Hillsborough County.
• Assist with workshop registration, planning, packets, surveys, marketing.