ATTENTION: CHANGES TO OUR ADVANCED EMG PROGRAM ARE IN EFFECT AS OF 01 JULY 2026
Interested in specializing your Extension Master Gardener knowledge?
Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners have a few options for advanced training. Training for each program is available on a rotating basis by the State EMG Office. For large groups interested in a steward program, the training may arranged to take place locally.
After completion of training, Advanced EMGs have no further requirements from the State EMG Office. Your local VCE program lead may have additional requirements of you.
ADVANCED EMG TREE STEWARD TRAINING REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
- Registration Opens July 8th 2026
- Registration Closes August 14th 2026
- Class Starts August 31st 2026
- Class Ends (all assignments due) November 23rd 2026
Advanced Deep Dive Days are offered on a rotation. These events offer one-day trainings to certified EMGs on specific topics. Coursework is designed to be taught at a graduate student level, to satisfy our volunteer’s desire to learn intensively.
August 5th 2026 is our Entomology Deep Dive Advanced Continuing Education Day (ENTO Day 2026). Registration materials for this are coming soon.
- Where: Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia Beach VA
- When August 5th 2026 from 9 am to 4 pm
- Cost: $25
Tree Stewards
In Virginia, advanced Master Gardener tree steward training is offered by the local Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program. Once the training is completed, volunteers become certified advanced EMG tree stewards and may create and work on projects based on the needs of their local community as determined mutually between the local agent/coordinator and EMG.
Water Quality Steward
Advanced Extension Master Gardener Water Steward Trainees receive the benefit of a high level of training which is both technical and programmatic in nature. The advanced technical training provides in-depth water quality, conservation and management knowledge. The programmatic training enables trainees to further extend the reach of Extension because it is meant to prepare the EMG to research community water needs, then to design, implement and evaluate a program meant to meet those needs.
Advanced EMG Training Changes- July 1 2026
- The State EMG Office is no longer requiring the “nested” volunteer program for Advanced EMGs. Starting now, any of the “stewards” who are already certified in the commonwealth are no longer required by the State EMG Office to do specific work for their tree/water/land care certification. They are no longer required to maintain additional CE, nor are they required to contribute additional steward-specific hours.
- If a local VCE Agent would like to maintain additional requirements for certified Advanced EMGs within their EMG Unit, they are allowed to do so.
- This means that ALL fully certified EMGs in VA have THE SAME annual requirements, as far as the state is concerned- 8 CE and 20 volunteer hours.
- The State EMG Office will administer a variety of VCE Advanced EMG Trainings to provide volunteers with specialized knowledge to take back to their local units.
- There will be no requirement of these volunteers to complete a project or to complete specific hours. When they have satisfactorily completed our training, they are forever trained in our eyes.
- Previously, although not widely enforced, EMGs wanting to take Advanced Trainings no longer need to acquire their agent’s sign-off.
- The trainings will be hybrid- primarily virtual with in person learning opportunities if necessary.
- If a Local EMG Unit desires to utilize the State EMG Office’s Canvas courses for your local Advanced EMG Training Program, please ask us! we are happy to provide you a copy to utilize as you see fit.
- currently, Advanced EMG Water Steward is available to use. ( contact Grace at emgoffice@vt.edu)
- Advanced EMG Tree Steward will be available to use in the Spring of 2027