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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
Registration will open on April 1
Reduced "Early Bird" registration fees available during April
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!
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
2:30 pm Networking Break / Snacks in Reedy Gallery
3:00 pm Concurrent 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 Concurrent 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
10:30 am Networking Break
11:00 am Concurrent 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 Concurrent 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 Concurrent Sessions (First Come, First Served Based on Room Capacity) - 5 Classes
3:30 pm Safe Travels Back Home!
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!
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 of 2026.
One complimentary maroon T-shirt (with 2026 conference logo!) to volunteers that register during the month of April.
Registration deadline is Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Discounted hotel lodging is available to registered conference participants - Here is the link for the discount at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Chanhassen, a 10% off of the regular rate in June. ARBORETUM HOTEL DISCOUNT Note – Volunteers will get the discount automatically when using that link.
Other nearby lodging options:
Chaska Super 8, 830 Yellow Brick Rd, Chaska, MN 55318 (952) 448-7030
Town Square Place, 1 River Bend Pl, Chaska, MN 55318 (952) 295-4146
“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 to cover the registration fee is available. Please email your request to mgweb@umn.edu
We will be following the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum cancellation policy:
You may cancel your registration and receive a partial refund if we are contacted 2 weeks prior to the conference. Please send an email to mgweb@umn.edu to request the cancellation. Your request will be reviewed by the Landscape Arboretum Education Department and they will process your refund minus a $10.00 cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the conference cannot be refunded.
A big Thank You to the members of the Conference Planning Committee!
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