Training presentations you can use as you develop your EMG training program.
In addition, some areas do not currently have presentations. WE NEED PRESENTATIONS to fill out these areas. If you have presentations, please contact Devon Johnson at dvj@vt.edu. We will need permission to put them on the website, and would be happy to share them with others.
Training Forms
- Training speaker evaluation form – .docx
- EMG Training evaluation template – .docx
Video
The Northern Shenandoah Valley (NSV) unit has generously shared an archive of recorded training presentations with us. You may want to use these presentations either to get ideas for your own presentations or to download to share as make-up sessions. Presentation video recordings and copies of PowerPoint presentations are stored in Google Drive folders below.
Administrative Training Presentations
- Help desk training presentation – Overview of help desks including supplies, using the VCE website, and more
- “What it means to be an EMG volunteer” presentation – Introduction to the EMG program including basic information, mission, vision, and values, and more
- Orientation presentation – Sample orientation slideshow for new/potential EMGsProgram Development
- Program development presentation – Introduction to EMG program within structure of VCE including steps to setting up a program. From Barbara Leach, VCE, RoanokePublic Value of EMGs
- Public Value of Extension Master Gardeners Presentation – Narrated presentation covering “what is public value?” and role EMGs have to play (Public Value PDF)
- “So What” presentation – How Do You Respond When Someone Asks You, “So What?” presentation from Phil Blevins, agent Washington County (“So What” notes)
Civil Rights
Here is the civil rights training video as of January 2024. Please note the civil rights training materials in Better Impact as well.
Risk Management
- Risk Management Presentation – Introduction to risk management including contacts, requirements, and insurance (updated 2023)
- Narrated slideshow courtesy of VCE, Henrico County: http://henrico.us/assets/VCE-MG-Risk-Management-Essentials.mp4
- Megan Tierney’s Risk Management questions and answers sheet and Updated (2019) Presentation
Pest Management Guide
Training Slides and Notes
Arboriculture
- Native Trees presentation – From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Native Trees presentation notes)
Beneficial Insects
- Bee Plants for winter presentation – from Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent, Chesapeake (Bee plants for winter presentation notes)
- Beyond Honeybees – from Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent, Chesapeake (Beyond Honeybees presentation notes)
- Cold and Hot Bee Plants presentation – from Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent, Chesapeake (Cold and Hot Bee Plants presentation notes)
- Pollinators Beyond Bugs – from Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent, Chesapeake (Pollinators Beyond Bugs presentation notes)
Botany
- Basic Botany – From Alan R. McDaniel, Virginia Tech (notes only)
- Extension Master Gardeners Botany – From Nikki Norton (Extension Master Gardeners Botany presentation notes)
Entomology, Insect Pests
- Borers, Scale, and Miners – From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Borers, Scale, and Miners presentation notes)
- Scales (not the musical kind) – From Kirsten Buhls, Agriculture Natural Resource Extension Agent, and Jesse Muzzy, 2016 VCE- Arlington Summer Intern (Scales presentation notes)
Gardening Health, Safety, and Tools
- Allergy and Poison Plants – From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Allergy and Poison Plants presentation notes)
- Gardening with Dogs – From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Gardening with Dogs presentation notes)
Herbaceous Plants
- Annuals A to Z – From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Annuals A to Z presentation notes)
- Perennials A to Z – From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Perennials A to Z presentation notes)
Plant Pathology & Abiotic Disorders
- Abiotic Plant Disorders (Abiotic Plant Disorders presentation notes)
- Plant Pathology: Diagnosing Problems – From Cynthia L. Gregg, Extension Agent ANR Brunswick County
- Diagnostic Procedures – From Barbara Leach, Horticulture Technician, VCE Roanoke County
- Building and Maintaining Healthy Soils – From Susan Edwards, ANR Technician, Chesterfield County (Building and Maintaining Healthy Soils presentation notes)
- Plant Nutrition – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Plant Nutrition presentation notes)
Taxonomy
- Taxonomy and Plant ID – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Taxonomy and Plant ID presentation notes)
- Anatomy – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Anatomy presentation notes)
Vines
- Climbers, Lianas, and Vines – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Climbers, Lianas, and Vines presentation notes)
Water Quality
- Plants for the Rain Garden – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Plants for the Rain Garden presentation notes)
- Water Wise Gardening – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Water Wise Gardening presentation notes)
Woody Ornamentals
- Camellias in Southeastern Virginia – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Camellias presentation notes)
- Hollies – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeak (Hollies presentation notes)
- Hydrangea Species and Culture – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Hydrangea Species and Culture presentation notes)
- Shrubs A to Z – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Shrubs A to Z presentation notes)
- Woody Plant Selection and Care – From From Mike Andruczyk, VCE Horticulture Agent Chesapeake (Woody Plant Selection and Care presentation notes)
*We also need presentations related to aquatics, fruits, general horticulture, greenhouses and cold frames, herbs, indoor plants, IMP, landscape design, native plants, organic gardening, propagation, seeds, vegetables, weeds, and wildlife. Please send us your presentations!
2015 Handbook Exam Sample Questions and Answers
Contributors from Hill City EMGs: Ruth Broadfoot, Patty Garbee, Rosanna Gidner, Margaret Mundy, Faye Routon, and Linda Williams
We would love to add additional questions to the database. If you have any sample questions that you would like to share, please submit them to the State Master Gardener Coordinator at vtmg@vt.edu.
Previous Edition Questions
The exam database was revised in 1998 by two Master Gardeners in Albemarle County, Vicki Friend and Lisa Workman. The questions were updated in 2002 with help from Chuck Walters and the Northern Shenandoah Valley MGs. There are two types of files. One file contains the questions and the second file contains questions and answers.
Potential Speakers List
A list compiled of potential MG training speakers. Contact information, topics covered, bios, and areas of the state in which they speak are included in this spreadsheet.
- Letter size PDF (12 pages)
- Legal size PDF (9 pages)