The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is now seeking volunteers for the 2026-27 Master Gardener training program, beginning in October 2026. Residents who are interested in horticulture and gardening can gain valuable skills, make new connections, and become valuable assets to the community by joining the Master Gardeners of Union County.
Residents who wish to apply to the program are required to attend one information/orientation session offered, May 5th, 7th, and 11th from 10:00am to 11:30am. You can register at https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2axUeSoveyX9qgC. Each session is limited to 40 participants to allow time for presentation and questions.
Classes will run October 2026 through end of March 2027, Tuesday mornings, 10:00am-12:45pm at Trailside Nature & Science Center located at 425 New Providence Road in Mountainside. The classroom is conveniently located by the 1.5-acre demonstration garden and greenhouse at Trailside, maintained by Master Gardeners.
“By engaging in volunteer work, participants gain a deeper understanding of the positive impacts their contributions have on our environment and the community at large,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. “The Master Gardener Program is one of the many volunteer opportunities offered in Union County. I encourage residents to look into the program and attend an orientation session to find out if it’s a good fit for them.”
The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County is a volunteer program offered through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, NJ Agriculture Experiment Stations and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in cooperation with the Union County Board of County Commissioners. It is supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board, with administrative assistance and office space in Berkeley Heights, land for the Demonstration Garden, and funding for special projects.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.
Union County 4-H Clubs are open to all students k-12+. Explore your favorite activity while learning skills like teamwork, organization, public speaking and more. Next year’s session will follow the 2023-24 school year calendar. An open house will be held in September 2023 to meet the club leaders and find out more. For details contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz, at 908-654-9854 (ext. 3) or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.
For quick links to all environmental programs and activities in Union County supported by the Commissioner Board, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.
Cooperative Extension online activities for all ages:
4-H from Home offers youth activities with STEAM learning and community service.
Receive gentle wellness messages every Wednesday and Saturday from the Rutgers Live Well-Stay Healthy program (sign up with the Remind App or Remind.com,code @f3ccc46).
Get expert self care guidance by email (to sign up for the following two programs, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension Union County educator Dr. Karen Ensle at kensle@njaes.rutgers.edu):
Healthy on the Job Self-Care is a weekly series focused on essential workers.
Get Moving, Get Healthy at Home is a weekly series geared toward those who are at home.
Read the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and NJ Agriculture Experiment Station statement onRacial and Social Justice.
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is part of a statewide program run by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension of Rutgers University, connecting citizens with science-based educational opportunities.
The Union County Extension is supported in part by the Commissioner Board, with offices located at the Colleen Frasier Building in the Union County Complex, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
The Union County Extension offers the following educational programs to Union County residents:
4-H Clubs: This program is for students in grades 1-12 and beyond. The 4-H program encourages students to explore a topic of their own choosing, and share their knowledge while practicing teamwork, public speaking and other life skills. Club sign-ups take place in September.
Master Gardeners: No horticultural experience is needed to participate. Master Gardeners receive training in best practices for pest management and many other aspects of gardening. They share their knowledge throughout Union County. They also run the Demonstration Garden, located in Union County’s Watchung Reservation in Mountainside. Training takes place each spring.
Master Tree Stewards: Master Tree Stewards are trained in tree conservation, and they learn how to teach students about the importance of trees. In addition to projects related to tree conservation in Union County parks, each spring the Master Tree Stewards provide 4th grade classrooms with interactive lessons on trees and the environment. Training takes place each fall.
Rutgers Environmental Stewards: This program is designed to help non-scientists learn about the science behind environmental issues impacting their communities. Training begins in January and includes classes on habitat conservation, climate change, recycling, and more.
For more information call the Extension offices in Westfield at 908-654-9854 or use theStaff Directory.
Are you looking for more programs?
Links to all Union County Extension programs are at the top of the left column on this page including:
Nutrition
Household Budgeting
Healthy Living
Community Gardening
Stormwater Management
Master Gardeners
Master Tree Stewards
4-H Club Leader
Community Nutrition
Rain Barrel Instructors
Rain Gardens
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County belongs to a national network of more than 3,100 county offices and research institutions, including Rutgers University, organized under the U.S. Department of Agriculture to foster youth development and community health.
![The Union County Board of County Commissioners' Master Gardener's Garden Help Line. Call 908-654-9852, visit the office at 151 Grant Street in Berkeley Heights NJ on Wednesday from 10am to 2pm or Fridays from 10am to noon, or email master gardeners [at] ucnj [dot] org.](https://ucnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/updated-11_6_24-2-900x507.png)
