About the CCE Erie Master Gardener Program
The mission of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteer program is to support Cornell Cooperative Extension by utilizing research-based information to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are volunteers who support Cornell Cooperative Extension's educational programs in consumer horticulture. They develop their horticultural expertise through participation in educational programs conducted by Cornell University faculty and Cooperative Extension staff. The county Extension Educator/coordinator provides diagnostic support for horticultural issues and questions to Master Gardener volunteers actively participating in the program. Extension publications, teaching materials, and other program support materials are provided as deemed appropriate by campus and county educators. Information presented by Master Gardeners must be consistent with Cornell Cooperative Extension recommendations concerning various aspects of consumer horticulture.
In New York State the master gardener program is a volunteer service program not a course or certificate.The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) programs are managed individually by county CCE associations. Volunteer training occurs at different intervals for each county. Counties select volunteers as needed through an application process from their pool of residents of that county. It is rare that a county will select an applicant from another county.
Core horticulture training is the first requirement of the CCE Master Gardener Volunteer commitment, followed by an agreement to volunteer at the host county for one or more years for a specific number of hours. Once you stop volunteering you are no longer a master gardener as it is not a certificate program.
If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer in Erie County, please contact the CCE Erie County office at erie@cornell.edu (716)652-5400
Connect with our Master Gardener Hotline
Last updated November 8, 2024
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Info for Current Volunteers
Program information for current Master Gardener Volunteers (Password protected. See info on p. 2 of MG News.)
Find an Arborist
Click here for Swarm Removal Information
Dyce Lab Swarm Catcher's Directory
- All beekeepers listed in this directory have approved being included. The information in this directory is based on what beekeepers told us and has not been verified by Cornell University.
- https://bendemoras.com/static/pollinator-network/swarm-directory.html
WNY Honey Producers
- The volunteer organization maintains a list of beekeepers who sign up to be listed as swarm catchers.
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Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, November 19
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM -
Autism Awareness Workshop
Thursday, November 21
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM -
Closed November 28 and 29, 2024
Thursday, November 28
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM -
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, December 17
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wild Mushroom Questions
Does seeing a puffball mushroom at the farmers’ market this time of year make you wonder if anyone watches over the sale of wild mushrooms at farmers’ markets and restaurants to make sure what is offered is safe to eat? Depending on where you are buying, the Department of Agriculture and Markets (farmers’ markets) or Health Department (restaurants) has a role. New York State law reads “each mushroom [should be] individually inspected and found to be safe by an approved mushroom identification expert prior to sale.”