MSU Extension Master Gardener Program

This webpage contains policy and guidelines for new trainees and certified MSU Extension Master Gardeners.

MSU Extension Master Gardener Program Code of Conduct

Every EMG trainee is required to read and accept the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program Code of Conduct and review it annually. This document is a contractual agreement that is accepted by volunteers who commit to the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program. These standards guide the volunteers’ behavior during their involvement with the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program. The primary purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.

Volunteer Commitment

The MSU Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program. To be certified as an MSU Extension Master Gardener, trainees must complete a minimum of 40 volunteer hours educating others through preapproved volunteer projects related to horticulture and gardening. New trainees who have completed all segments of their MSU EMG volunteer onboarding have until November 30 of the following year to complete their 40 hours of service.  Example: A new trainee who completes their last onboarding on May 30, 2025 has until November 30, 2026 to complete their 40 hours.  

Keeping Volunteers and Community Members Safe

Prior to onboarding sessions, all potential MSU EMG trainees undergo the Volunteer Screening Process(VSP) to apply to be an MSU Extension volunteer. This process includes national and state background checks, checks against the Sex Offenders Registry (SOR), submission of references, and an interview. To remain active in the program, MSU EMGs will need to have background checks every year and SORs every six months.

Certification and Annual Recertification

Initial Certification Requirements: 

1. A Foundations of Gardening Certificate (earned within three years)
2. Acceptance as an MSU Extension Volunteer
3. Completion of a local onboarding session (includes a required in-person session)
4. 40 hours of volunteer hours completed by November 30 of the year after onboarding is completed

Upon completion of the initial requirements, MSU EMG trainees become "Basic" MSU EMGs and receive a certificate and a new name badge.

Annual Recertification Requirements:

1. 20 volunteer hours and 10 education hours completed each year by November 30
2. Review of Code of Conduct 
3. Payment of a recertification fee in January of each year

Advanced Extension Master Gardener Status

MSU Extension Master Gardeners who reach 90 volunteer hours and 25 education hours will achieve Advanced Extension Master Gardener status and receive a certificate and new name badge. The Foundations of Gardening course does not count toward this.

Transferring to Another County

MSU Extension Master Gardener records are maintained in the Volunteer Central (VC)  by geographic rosters. Initial trainee records are housed within the area the MSU EMG trainee took their local onboarding course.

Out-of-State Transfers

MSU Extension Master Gardeners who are certified in another state may be admitted to the MSU Extension Master Gardener program by meeting certain criteria. Contact your local educator for more information on transferring from another state.

Guidelines

The Volunteer Management System

To remain certified, trainees and certified EMGs are expected to enter their volunteer and education hours into the online Volunteer Central (VC) prior to November 30 each year. Each individual is required to have a unique email address in order to access the secure system. Read more here.

Use of the Extension Master Gardener Title

The correct title for a volunteer in this program is “Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener.” This title can only be used only by volunteers who are annually certified in the MSU Extension Master Gardener program and are performing unpaid educational and public service as active Extension Master Gardeners. 

Training and experience gained by participating in the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program are valuable and may rightfully be listed as qualifications when seeking employment. However, MSU Extension Master Gardeners may not give the appearance of being MSU Extension Master Gardeners at their place of employment. MSU Extension Master Gardeners who work in the horticulture or green industry may display their certificates at their place of business but may not use the MSU Extension Master Gardener or MSU Extension logo or name on any commercial materials including vehicles, signs, advertisements and business cards.

Answering Questions

MSU Extension Master Gardeners are limited to providing gardening advice to non-commercial growers or managers of plants. Questions pertaining to commercial growing or management of plants, legal issues, food preservation and any other non-gardening related questions must be referred to the appropriate MSU Extension Educator. 

Pest Management Recommendations

When providing pest management strategies, MSU Extension Master Gardeners should provide an integrated pest management approach (using cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods). Read more here.

Affirmative Action

MSU Extension programs and material are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.

Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

Every organization that partners on projects with the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program or uses MSU Extension Master Gardeners must comply with MSU antidiscrimination policies.

Liability

MSU Extension provides limited liability insurance coverage to re-certified MSU Extension Master Gardeners and trainees who have successfully completed the Volunteer Selection Process (VSP) and who are volunteering in good faith for the University on MSU EMG approved volunteer projects (via the Volunteer Project Proposal Form). 

The coverage does not extend to other organizations or groups with which an MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer is working. Sometimes MSU EMGs are also covered by the liability insurance provided by the non-profit organization(s) for which the MSU EMG is completing volunteer service hours.

An MSU EMG volunteer must not sign contracts or leases assuming liability responsibility on behalf of MSU Extension or between MSUE and other organizations or groups. Staff-approved projects which require contracts or “Facilities Use” agreements must have the document approved by appropriate MSU Risk Management personnel, with confirmation of approval, prior to project commencement. The additional document(s) should be routed to mg@msu.edu and the State Coordinator a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks prior to onset.

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