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Klamath County Master Gardeners

Photo: Kirby Pruner-Yemm (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 Gardener Trainee stamps a kids booklet while working a booth at a garden center.

“Master Gardeners grow more than plants—they grow community.”

Photo: Kirby Pruner-Yemm

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

Each year, OSU Extension offers Master Gardener training for new volunteers. Klamath County is trying a new approach to Master Gardener training—one that’s flexible, modern, and built for today’s busy lives. You can:

  • Learn online, in person, or both—whatever fits your schedule.
  • Move at your own pace, with up to two years to complete the program.
  • Earn certification by completing 40 credits of coursework and 40 volunteer hours where you'll apply your new knowledge and skills.
  • Keep your certification active with 8 hours of continuing education and 20 volunteer hours each year.

Enrollment happens four times a year: February, May, August, and November. You can begin during any of these months.

Photo: Kirby Pruner-Yemm (Cropped from original)

Coursework options

You’ll get to design your own learning experience by choosing from a menu of classes each quarter. Training options include:

  • Online modules you can complete anytime.
  • In-person classes held at different times and locations.
  • Hands-on labs with practical activities at the Extension Office.
  • Live Zoom courses where you can ask questions and engage with instructors.
  • Recorded Zoom sessions you can watch whenever it’s convenient.

Each quarter has its own focus:

  • Winter: Mostly online and Zoom-based — less driving!
  • Spring: Mix of in-person and online, with morning options.
  • Summer: Variety of daytime and evening classes.
  • Fall: Evening classes and online flexibility.

After completing 40 credits of coursework, you’ll take an open-book online test. You’ll need a score of 70% or higher to pass, and you can retake the test once if needed.

Two Master Gardeners hold plants at annual plant sale
Photo: Kirby Pruner-Yemm

Ways to volunteer

As a Master Gardener volunteer, you can:

  • Answer gardening questions at plant clinics
  • Work in demonstration and educational gardens
  • Support school garden programs
  • Help with workshops and community events
  • Create or share educational materials for the public

Timeline at a glance

  • Enrollment: February, May, August, November
  • Program duration: Up to two years to complete
  • Coursework required: 40 credits
  • Volunteer hours required: 40 hours for certification
  • Continuing education: 8 hours per year to maintain certification
Photo: Kirby Pruner-Yemm (Cropped from original)
Master Gardener Volunteer holding flower pot of soil ready to plant a seed at a community event
Photo: Kirby Pruner-Yemm

Ready to grow with us?

Join the OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program and help your community thrive through gardening.

Visit our Training and Registration Page for the latest updates on upcoming sessions and how to apply.

Training registration

Stay connected to gardening

Even if you’re not ready to volunteer, you can still grow with us! Explore our Gardening Help & Resources page to get answers to your plant questions and stay connected with local workshops and garden events.

Contact Klamath County Master Gardeners

Oregon State University Klamath County Extension

6923 Washburn Way
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
United States

Phone: 541-883-7131
Email
[email protected]

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