Providing continuing education opportunities for Extension Master Gardeners and Vermont Master Composters is critical to ensure that our volunteers have the most recent science-based gardening information to best assist gardeners in our communities. Continuing education is offered online through webinars and short courses as well as in-person at workshops, seminars, field days and other gatherings organized by our office as well as our local EMG Chapters. Chapter activities are also great opportunities to connect with other volunteers and so we highly encourage volunteers to attend these offerings.
- Certified Extension Master Gardeners may earn up to 5 hours in continuing education annually.
- Certified Vermont Master Composters may earn up to 1 hour in continuing education annually.
- EMG and VMC interns do not earn continuing education hours as they have recently received significant education through their completed coursework.
2025 Continuing Education Webinars
2025 Update on Plant Pests with Dr. Ann Hazelrigg
Previous Years' Advanced Training Webinar Recordings
Vermont Bee Lab
Aired on 11.13.2024 with Sydney Miller, Vermont Bee Lab
Resources:
- Vermont Bee Lab: https://www.vermontbeelab.com/ (includes research reports referenced by Sydney)
- Vermont Pollinator Working Group: https://www.vermontbeelab.com/VPWG/
- Know Your 5: https://vtecostudies.org/know-your-5/
- Act 35 (Neonic law): https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2020/H.205
- *Note: I am updating the “Neonicotinoids in Home Landscapes” info sheet I distributed at the webinar and, when final, will post in the Gardening Resources section of our website under the Pesticides & IPM tab.
- Research on Bee Virus Transmission (from honeybees to wild bees): https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/gne15-094/ – also see the Vermont Bee Lab’s completed research projects at: https://www.vermontbeelab.com/completedprojects/
Deer Tick Research
Aired on 09.10.2024 with Dr. Somaiyeh Ghasemzadeh Dizaji, UVM Entomology Research Lab
UVM Tick Research website: https://www.uvm.edu/~uvmticks/
2024 Garden Pest Updates
Aired on 08.20.2024 with Dr. Ann Hazelrigg, UVM Extension
Resources:
- Lilac Pests
- Striped Cucumber Beetle
- Fourlined Plant Bug and Slugs
- Peach Leaf Curl
- Hydrangea Leaftier
- Viburnum Leaf Beetle
- White Grubs
- Drooping White Birch (coming soon)
Jumping Worm Best Management Practices
Aired on 06.18.2024 with Dr. MaryAm Nouri Aiin, UVM Dept of Plant and Soil Science
Volunteering for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)
Aired on 05.30.2024 with NWS meterologist Seth Kutikoff
Resources:
- CoCoRaHS website: https://www.weather.gov/btv/cocorahsburlington
- Application to become a CoCoRaHS volunteer weather observer: https://cocorahs.org/Application.aspx
- CoCoRaHS guide for EMGs: https://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=MasterGardener
- Approved Rain Gauges: https://weatheryourway.com/collections/cocorahs-gauge-parts
Garden Diseases and Insects Updates for Summer 2023
Indigenous Culture and Plant Use
Winter Pea as a Dual-Use Crop
Chapter Events
Northwest Chapter Calendar
| Date & Start Time | Topic | Location |
| March 20, 6:30 p.m. | Flood Resilience (NOFA) presentation with Dr. Vern Grubinger | Zoom |
| April 17, 6 p.m. | Books (Read what you love) and resources led by EMG Vikki Gauvin | UVM Jeffords - 2nd floor, Room 234, Burlington |
| May 29, 6 p.m. | New Intern Welcome | Dealer.com, 1 Howard St, Burlington |
| June 19, 6 p.m. | Seed Saving with EMG Karen Tuininga | Charlotte Library, Charlotte |
| July 17, 6 p.m. (raindate 7/21) | Tour of UVM Medical Center Rooftop Garden with Rachel Boyers | UVM Medical Center, Burlington |
| August 21, 6 p.m. | Tour of Full Circle Gardens with Sarah Salatino | 68 Brigham Hill Road, Essex |
| September 18, 5 p.m. | EMG Project Tour:L4 Collective project with EMG Rob Kurth | West Street Community Gardens, Essex Jct |
| October 16, 6 p.m. | Annual Chapter Planning Meeting | UVM Hort Farm, South Burlington |