The Oregon State University Master Gardener™ Program

is an Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service program that educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. This program also facilitates the training of a highly educated corp of volunteers. These volunteers extend sustainable gardening information to their communities through education and outreach programs.

Online Option Now Available

A new online Master Gardener training course will be launched Fall 2008 in partnership with OSU Extended Campus (Ecampus). Visit the website, or contact Ecampus (800-667-1465 or ecampus@oregonstate.edu) for more details.

OSU Master Gardeners™ are Highly Trained Volunteers. Master Gardeners™:

• Are trained by OSU Extension Service faculty and industry professionals.
• Receive 60-70 hours of instruction over a 10-12 week period during the winter (programs differ from county to county, depending on community needs).
• Volunteer at least an equivalent number of hours during their first year as a Master Gardener.
• Help maintain Master Gardener programs in 30 of Oregon's 36 counties.

OSU Master Gardeners™ Educate and Serve Oregonians. Master Gardeners™:

• Provide non-biased, science-based gardening information to the public.
• Diagnose plant problems and provide sustainable solutions to Oregon gardeners.
• Design and present education programs on subjects of interest to Oregonians including:
  • Integrated pest management (IPM) practices,
  • Yard waste management and composting,
  • Water quality protection,
  • Gardening with children, youth, seniors and the physically challenged.
• Provide a window to research and education at Oregon State University to Oregonians.

OSU Master Gardeners™ Make a Difference!

• A total of 3,206 volunteers donated 148,925 hours of service to the OSU Master Gardener™ program in 2006 - the equivalent of an additional 71 OSU Extension employees with a monetary value of $2.3 million!
• OSU Master Gardeners™ had direct contact with 157,051 Oregonians in plant clinics and education programs.

Are you interested in becoming an OSU Master Gardener? Please click here for more information.