Tom Stanley Extension Office
Become A Rockbridge
Master Gardener
The Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners (RAMGA) are planning a training class for 2026. Nationwide, the goal of the Master Gardener program is educating the public on all things horticultural. RAMGA volunteers do that through public education programs, school gardens, maintaining the Seed Library, demonstration gardens, Extension Office Help Desk, and plant xlinics at community events. It is a wonderful way to meet like-minded people and to share their love of plants.
To become a Master Gardener, one must complete an online program that consists of reading and studying the Master Gardener Handbook. To help with understanding, there are a series of online modules for each topic studied along with a series of online open-book quizzes. This part of the training is completed independently. In January, trainees meet the project leaders for information about volunteering and the ten in-person plant laboratory classes are scheduled.
The 10 plant labs provide trainees with hands-on experiences and opportunities to apply what they have learned in the self-paced learning modules. Labs are generally held at night or on weekends. The labs are fun and engaging, allowing trainees to meet other class members to work together to solve plant-based problems. The labs are located throughout the Rockbridge area. Many are held at homes of Master Gardeners or RAMGA project sites.
To become a Master Gardener, trainees must complete 50 volunteer hours supporting their choice of Master Gardener projects currently underway in Rockbridge. The trainee may start volunteering in March, while still completing the course work. The hours must be earned by Dec. 31, 2026, through approved RAMGA projects and activities.
The cost of the class is $150. This gives access to the online handbook and modules as well as an electronic flash drive with all the available content for the class. Registration to enroll for the class starts on Sunday, Oct. 26 at noon and runs until Saturday, Nov. 1, at noon. Registration information may be found at the RAMGA website (www.ramga.org). At this website under the “join us” tab, you can select “video” and see an informative video prepared by Rockbridge Master Gardeners about volunteering. Class size is limited, so enroll early. RAMGA leaders will hold in-person interviews in November and orientation in December.
Volunteering as a Master Gardener is open to all. If you do not have access to a computer or need to access the learning materials by some means other than electronically, please let the class leadership know or call the Rockbridge Extension Office at (540I 463-4734.
Bull Soundness
Exams Offered
The Rockbridge Cattlemen’s Association is sponsoring a breeding soundness exam day for bulls on Monday, Nov. 4 at the Shenandoah Valley Agriculture Research and Extension Center (McCormick Farm). Cattle producers can take advantage of a well-built weather-proof facility with helpers on-hand to ensure safe and efficient handling of their bulls. Cost is $65 per bull payable day of the exam. Exams will be offered beginning at 10 a.m. and cattle producers can signup for time slots to minimize their wait time.
To sign up, call or send email to me, Tom Stanley, at (540) 463-4734 or stanleyt@ vt.edu.
