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Hood River County Master Gardeners

Photo: Megan Wickersham (Cropped from original)
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Become a Master Gardener Volunteer

Learn, grow, and give back

Do you love gardening, learning, and helping others? The OSU Extension Master Gardener™ volunteer program is a community of gardeners who teach, learn and grow together.

Volunteers receive in-depth training from Oregon State University, then share that knowledge to help others garden successfully in their own communities.

Master Gardeners run a booth at a local farmers market, offering a table full of gardening resources and answering gardening questions.

Master Gardeners grow more than plants—they grow community.

Photo: Sarah West

What it means to be a Master Gardener volunteer

Being a Master Gardener volunteer is about curiosity, community and service.

As a volunteer, you’ll:

  • Learn about plants, soil, pests and sustainable gardening practices
  • Help answer questions from local gardeners through plant clinics and events
  • Support school and community gardens
  • Make connections with people who love gardening as much as you do

Training and certification

Registration for the 2026 program is open November 1~30, 2025. Training consists of 40 educational hours, February~April and includes:

  • In person classes on select Wednesdays (6~8:30 PM) and Saturdays (9 AM-Noon).
  • Online modules
  • Hands-on workshops
  • Zoom options available

Cost is $150.

After completing the 40 hours of classes, trainees have a variety of options to complete 40 volunteer hours between April and November

  • Volunteering in Master Gardener educational gardens
  • Assisting with plant clinics to answer community gardening questions
  • Helping at educational workshops and other community events
  • Creating outreach materials
  • And more!

Contact us if you are interested in learning more, or to be placed on a waiting list. We have the capacity to take around 25 additional volunteers each year, and priority is given to those on the waiting list.

Apply for the 2026 Master Gardener program
Photo: Bill Sturman (Cropped from original)

Contact Hood River County Master Gardeners

Hood River County Extension Office

2990 Experiment Station Drive
Hood River, OR 97031
United States

Phone:
Email
[email protected]

Stay connected to gardening

Master Gardener volunteers are here to help you succeed at gardening.

Photo cropped from Original: From Canva Images (Cropped from original)

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