Master Gardener Training

Master Gardener Training is currently conducted out of Extension Service offices in 30 Counties. Although these counties offer courses on topics such as basic botany, entomology, and plant disease, programs are tailored to the different climates, soils and local needs of individual counties. Thus, the Master Gardener™ training in different areas will provide specific information to Master Gardener™ trainees about gardening in their own bioregion.

Master Gardener™ training typically takes place in the winter months (January-March), although the exact timing varies by county. If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener volunteer, contact your local Extension Office. You will be asked to fill out a brief application, and to perhaps meet with your local Extension Agent and/or current Master Gardener volunteers. At that time, your Extension Agent and/or the Master Gardeners will discuss with you the basic outline of the course, volunteer commitments and opportunities within your region, and any other aspect of Master Gardener training that you might have questions about.

To learn more about being a Master Gardener volunteer, you can read Oregon State University Extension Service publication EM 8749, entitled ‘An Introduction to Being a Master Gardener Volunteer’. You can also access the Master Gardener Program Brochure, EM 8723, ‘The Oregon Master Gardener Program’, to learn more about the program. To learn more about Master Gardener activities, specific to your county or region, please contact your local Extension office.

There is also a Master Gardener Online training course offered in partnership with OSU Extended Campus. Two options are available: one with volunteer hours and one without.