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2026 Minnesota Extension Master
Gardener Volunteer Program Conference
volunteering with purpose
2026 MGVP Conference
Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska
Early Bird Registration Fees Available During April
Friday Only – $80
Saturday Only – $140
Both Days (Bundle Option) – $189
REGISTER!
CLICK HERE FOR BOTH DAYS (BUNDLE OPTION)
You will register through the Landscape Arboretum.
You will be asked to create an Arboretum account, if you do not have one already.
After a successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email from the Arboretum.
We are excited to announce that Rootstock, the Arboretum’s Cafe, will be catering the conference! Rootstock offers plant-forward, meat-supported options that compliment the Arboretum experience and help conference attendees eat healthfully every day of the conference! Conference Menu
AGENDA / FRIDAY, JUNE 26
12:00 pm Check-In in Great Hall / Refreshments in Reedy Gallery
1:00 pm Welcome & Opening Remarks in MacMillan Auditorium
1:30 pm Keynote Presentation in MacMillan Auditorium
Changing landscapes: The science behind the public’s yard and garden decisions presented by Dr. Jon Trappe
2:30 pm Networking Break / Snacks in Reedy Gallery
3:00 pm Breakout Sessions (First Come, First Served Based on Room/Tour Capacity) --- 4 Classes and 5 Tours
4:00 pm Networking Break / Snacks in Reedy Gallery
4:30 pm Breakout Sessions: (First Come, First Served Based on Room/Tour Capacity) --- 3 Classes and 5 Tours
5:30 pm Social Gatherings: Posters and Group Discussions in MacMillan Auditorium / Light Appetizers in Reedy Gallery / Live Music by The Abiders in Great Hall
7:00 pm Thank you for attending....See you again tomorrow!
AGENDA / SATURDAY, JUNE 27
8:00 am Check-In in Great Hall / Snacks in Reedy Gallery
9:00 am Welcome & Opening Remarks in MacMillan Auditorium
9:30 am Keynote Presentation in MacMillan Auditorium
Cultivating Community: Tools to help people care about plants presented by Bethann Garramon Merkle
10:30 am Networking Break
11:00 am Breakout Sessions (First Come, First Served Based on Room/Tour Capacity) --- 4 Classes and 5 Tours
12:00 pm Catered Lunch in Reedy Gallery
1:00 pm Breakout Sessions (First Come, First Served Based on Room/Tour Capacity) --- 5 Classes and 4 Tours
2:00 pm Networking Break / Snacks in Reedy Gallery
2:30 pm Breakout Sessions (First Come, First Served Based on Room Capacity) --- 5 Classes
3:30 pm Safe Travels Back Home!
NEW IN 2026! PRE-CONFERENCE GUIDED WALKING TOURS
Instructions: after you have registered for the conference, sign up to attend any of the three pre-conference tours by sending an email to mgweb@umn.edu requesting that your name be added to the attendance list of the tour that you wish to attend.
Instructions: All break-out sessions are "First come, first served" based on room / tour capacity.
Instructions: All break-out sessions are "First come, first served" based on room / tour capacity.
Important links related to the Landscape Arboretum
MacMillan Auditorium (main floor)
Teaching Classroom (second floor)
Azalea Classroom (second floor)
Andersen Horticultural Library (lower level)
Meyer-Deats Conservatory (lower level)
Elizabeth Carr Slade Perennial Garden
The Bog Boardwalk at Green Heron Pond
Important notices related to the conference
Volunteers must register to attend the conference...…no walk-ins!
Registration deadline is Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Register for just Friday or register for just Saturday or register for both days ("Bundle Option")
Reduced “Early Bird” registration fees available during the month of April.
One complimentary maroon T-shirt (with 2026 conference logo!) to volunteers that register during the month of April.
“Plus One Policy” – Each registered volunteer can invite up to one guest to come along to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to visit the gardens during the conference. However, if the guest will be attending the conference sessions, the guest must register.
Hours attending the conference should be counted as continuing education hours rather than volunteer hours.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, speakers / classes / tours could be subject to change.
Financial Assistance -- First contact your local leaders to find out if local funds are available. If local funds are not available, please email your request for statewide funds to mgweb@umn.edu.
We will be following the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum cancellation policy:
You may cancel your registration and receive a full refund minus a $10.00 cancellation fee if we are contacted 2 WEEKS prior to the conference. Please call the Education Department at 612-301-1206 to cancel your registration. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the conference cannot be refunded. Volunteers can transfer their paid registrations to a fellow Master Gardener if they are not able to attend.
A big Thank You to the members of the Conference Planning Committee!
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