Master Gardener Volunteer Program
- Find menus on the side panel. If viewing on a phone or tablet, click the three lines to expand the menu.
- Use the Search feature by clicking on the magnifying glass in the top right corner of this page.
- Contact mgweb@umn.edu if you have any questions, comments, or concerns!
Our Mission and Vision.
The mission of the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is to use research-based horticultural knowledge and practices to deliver educational outreach and project-based efforts that inspire change and promote healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet.
Our vision is that University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are community members respected and valued for their research-based horticultural expertise and community-strengthening capacity.
Our Guiding Principles connect us and our work statewide.
We are connected to the University of Minnesota, and use evidence-based research and best practices to inform our community engagement efforts, educational outreach, and horticultural expertise. We strive to make scientific knowledge understandable and accessible to all and inspire and encourage lifelong learning through continued scientific exploration and discovery.
We are connected to people, and committed to learning, becoming leaders in our communities, and contributing to improving lives. We collaborate and work across geographical and organizational boundaries to create viable and vibrant results.
We are connected to our communities, and their needs drive the work of our program. We are empowered to create change in our communities through educational engagement in alignment with our program priorities.
We are connected to our earth, and strive for stewardship and sustainability through horticultural best practices and a conscientious approach to volunteer work in alignment with our program priorities. We aim to improve not only the lives of the people within our communities, but also the land which sustains us.
Through all, we strive to be accessible and welcoming to all, regardless of what separates us.
Our Program Priorities
The Mission, Vision, and Principles of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program were developed through the 2018-2022 Master Gardener Volunteer Strategic Plan. You can see a summary of these guiding values on the Master Gardener Volunteer Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles Overview (pdf).
