From Scraps to Soil: Vermont Composting Short Course

From Scraps to Soil: Vermont Composting Short Course


This course offers an in-depth study of backyard and community-level composting. It covers the many ways to turn food scraps and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich compost. It is offered by the University of Vermont Extension Community Horticulture Program with funding support from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Registration for the 2025 course is closed. See our program website for more information.

UVM Extension Master Gardener Minor Protection Training

UVM Extension Master Gardener - Out of State

University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Course -- for participants outside of VT

The University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Course is our 16-week online signature course. It covers the fundamentals of home gardening including basic botany, soil fertility, insects and diseases, vegetable planning and production, herbaceous perennials, small fruit and tree fruit, pollinator plants, tree care, landscape design, and volunteerism. Content is specific to Vermont's growing conditions. 
The registration fee for the course is $550 for those participants who do not live in Vermont (this course requires students to access an Extension Master Gardener manual, available from PennState for $75 plus shipping).

Please note that the registration for participants who live outside Vermont is currently only open for "Learn at Your Own Pace" (Track 2) students.


Registration for the 2026 course runs through January 16, 2026. The course will start on Jan 23 and online course materials will be available to registered participants through June 26, 2026. The final date to drop out of the course and request a refund is Monday, February 6, 2026.

 For more information, visit the UVM Extension Master Gardener website  or contact Deb Heleba.


UVM Extension Master Gardener Course

This course is designed for Vermont gardeners interested in learning science-based information on a wide range of gardening topics including basic botany, vegetable gardening, perennials and annuals, ecological soil management, insect and disease pests, tree care, pollinator plants, landscape design, and tree and small fruit management. Students learn from University faculty and horticulture industry experts.

This is a 16-week online course available to students in two Tracks: Track 1 (Volunteer Certification Track) and Track 2 (at-your-own pace). See detailed information about the course at: https://go.uvm.edu/emgcourse. The course runs from January 23 to May 15 with access to all materials until June 26, 2026.

The fee for this course is $400 for Vermont residents and $550 for out-of-state residents.
NOTE: The fee does not cover the required course manual.

Registration for the 2026 course is open through midnight on January 16, 2026.

*You must have an Extension Foundation account to register. Follow instructions posted at the URL above and/or select "Continue" below to set up an account.*

Vermont Residents Register Here:    

Non-Vermont Residents: Click here to Register