Menu [Master Gardener™ Programs of Linn and Benton Counties]
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Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener volunteers are neighbors, friends and family who you can go to for garden advice that is grounded in science and locally relevant.
What is involved in volunteering?
As a Master Gardener volunteer educator, you will complete a university-taught course about the nuts and bolts of gardening. You’ll join a cohort of new and experienced volunteers and connect with a community of fellow plant enthusiasts. Then, you’ll share research-based sustainable gardening practices to promote healthy landscapes, healthy foods and healthy lives.
You can help grow knowledge, gardens and communities. Join us.
Master Gardeners volunteer as gardening educators in the community.
Credit: Elizabeth Records
"I lived in apartments and could not do much gardening. As soon as my life permitted, I became a Master Gardener and have made wonderful new friends. I am keeping pesticide use down by showing people better ways to manage their gardens."
—Susan Morton
Photo courtesy of Susan Morton
Course topics
It is helpful if potential Master Gardeners have had some gardening experience, but it is not required.
We learn through a combination of hands-on garden labs, interactive online experiences and classroom activities. Typical training topics include:
- botany essentials
- soil management
- plant nutrition
- pest identification and control
- diagnosis of plant problems
- growing vegetables
- sustainable landscape design
- fruit trees
- pollinators
- and more
“The [Master Gardener] class has provided me a very good foundation for gardening in the Pacific Northwest. The Master Gardener volunteer experience has been a very rewarding experience. I enjoy meeting new people at the Master Gardener volunteer events.”
—Jesse Garcia
Photo Courtesy of Benton County Master Gardener Association
