The Master Gardener Program is a national program of trained volunteers who work in partnership with their county Cooperative Extension office to expand educational outreach throughout the community by providing home gardeners with research-based information. Cortland County has had this program for a number of years, and it is a very successful program. Active Master Gardener volunteers do a number of different things in the county.
The first Master Gardener program was started in Washington state in 1972. Forty-six states now have Master Gardener programs.
Blocks In Bloom
Blocks in Bloom brings neighbors together to beautify public spaces, foster community pride, and make Cortland County bloom.
Blocks in Bloom Coverage
Check to see if you reside in a participating block!
Blocks in Bloom 2027
Blocks in Bloom brings together communities in the City of Cortland through front yard gardening.
Cornell Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Volunteers and other volunteers teach residents, one block at a time, to prepare, plant and maintain front yard flower gardens.
We work with the blocks located within the shaded area of the map.
Blocks in Bloom will provide plants, supplies and education to get people started.
A "Block Captain" is on each block to provide leadership and a central location for that block. Each block captain is responsible for finding at least 6 additional households on their block to participate in the program.
A "Block Mentor" gets assigned to each block to provide education and training.
Want to sign up to be involved? Fill out this application and wait to be contacted with more information.
Would you like to volunteer as a block mentor or to donate plants and supplies? Contact Andrew Scheldorf ads356 [at] cornell.edu (ads356[at]cornell[dot]edu) to discuss volunteering or donation. We accept clean plant donations, supplies like gardening equipment, pots etc.
The application for the 2027 cohort of Master Gardener Volunteers is now OPEN. Apply at the link here. The deadline to apply is December 18th. Please email Andrew Scheldorf at ads356 [at] cornell.edu (ads356[at]cornell[dot]edu) if you have questions.
The Master Gardener training is offered every 3-4 years in Cortland County. Classes are scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 24th and will continue through mid-May. Classes will be primarily held virtually, with special guest presentations and office hours held on zoom. There will be in-person activity days held once a month during training, and the Community Action Project Showcases will be held in person. Most in-person activities will be held at the Cortland CCE office, additional field trips and Community Action Projects might be hosted elsewhere in the county. Although not required, previous online learning will be an asset. Access to a computer or a laptop is heavily suggested.
Requirements for graduation include successful completion of all coursework. Participants must attend all in-person classes. If an absence is required the instructor must be notified at least 2 weeks prior to absence, with the understanding that additional work may be assigned as a result.
The fee for this training is $80 with an additional $50 deposit. The deposit will be returned after successfully completing your first 30 hours of qualifying volunteer hours. Limited scholarship opportunities are available, more information about the Blocks in Bloom Scholarship is later in this form
If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, please send your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address to the contact at the address below:
