Become a Master Gardener
Being a Master Gardener volunteer is about learning, volunteering, and fun! If you enjoy learning about gardening, sharing your knowledge with others and volunteering in your community, you should consider becoming an OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.
2022 Master Gardener Volunteer Training
Applications close December 1st.
Potential Master Gardener volunteers are not required to have a gardening experience but rather the motivation to learn, to garden, and be involved in their community. There are no prerequisites to participate although a basic understanding of plants is helpful.
Please see the info in the tabs below for class details & dates. Ready to apply? Create a login and fill out the application
Thank you for your interest in joining the 2022 class of Marion County OSU Master Gardener™ volunteers! The Master Gardener Program is a dynamic volunteer program that will increase your knowledge of gardening, encourage you to help others in the community, and build new friendships.
Spaces in the 2022 class are limited. Applications close on December 1st. All applications will be reviewed and you will be notified by December 30th if you are selected for the 2022 class. Admitted applicants will need to pay the class fee by January 10, 2022 to hold their seat.
Class fee: The $150 class fee covers your textbook and all workshop supplies. If you are able to pay more to help sponsor another student that option will be available. A scholarship option for those needing financial assistance will also be available.
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Here’s an overview of our activities this year. We are trying out a new hybrid format this year and are excited to offer new hands-on outdoor activities. Please check out the syllabus for dates (on the next tab) and make sure you are available.
Online lectures and weekly Zoom meet ups run in February and March. The online lectures are taught by OSU experts and provide key horticulture knowledge. The weekly Zoom meetups will encourage you to dive deeper and start getting connected with other program participants.
Outdoor Garden Labs start in Feb and then ramping up through mid-June. These interactive labs will be taught by OSU experts and experienced Master Gardener volunteers. Labs will be held at the Marion Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Salem.
Volunteer hours are the third and key learning experience to becoming an OSU Master Gardener volunteer. In 2022 we are requiring 45 hours of volunteer service. All volunteer experiences are carefully selected to help you learn and connect with the community.
Thank you for your interest in the Master Gardener Volunteer Program!
Sincerely,
Brooke Edmunds
Extension Horticulture Faculty
[email protected]
Part 1) Online lectures and zoom sessions
Our online classroom opens in late January. Lectures will become available one week prior to the live zoom meetup. Please view the week’s lecture(s) and read the chapters in the textbook prior to the Zoom Meetup. Attendance at the weekly Zoom meetup is expected.
|
Week |
Lectures to watch beforehand |
Required Reading in Sustainable Gardening textbook |
Live Zoom Meetup |
|
1 |
Nuts & Bolts of Being a Master Gardener Volunteer ~ Botany |
Chapter 1 |
Feb 3, 4-5pm |
|
2 |
Soils, Fertilizers, Composting ~ Vegetable Gardening |
Chapters 2 & 5 - Chapter 7 |
Feb 10, 4-5pm |
|
3 |
Basic Entomology ~ Plant Disease |
Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 |
Feb 17, 4-5pm |
|
4 |
Diagnosing Plant Problems ~ Useful Resources for Volunteering |
Chapter 16 |
Feb 24, 4-5pm |
|
5 |
Understanding Pesticides ~ Integrated Pest Management |
Chapter 19 - Chapter 20 |
Mar 3, 4-5pm |
|
6 |
Sustainable Landscape Design ~ ECCO Training for the Plant Clinic |
Chapter 21 |
Mar 10, 4-5pm |
|
7 |
PNW Native Plants ~ Herbaceous and Ornamental Plants ~ OSU’s Inclusive Extension Educator training |
Chapter 8 |
Mar 17, 4-5pm |
Part 2) Garden Labs
The outdoor Garden Labs will be held in the Marion County Master Gardener demonstration garden in Salem. Attendance at all sessions is expected. Each lab is repeated; you will be able to sign up for the session time that works best for you.
The garden walking surface is a mix of packed gravel, bark chips, and rough grass surfaces. A portable toilet is available on site. If accommodations are needed, please let us know in your application or email [email protected].
|
Garden Lab Topic* |
Date First session 10-11:30am Repeated 1-2:30pm |
|
Fruit Tree Pruning |
February 15 or February 22 |
|
All about Blueberries |
March 1 |
|
Soils, Compost, and Fertilizers |
April 5 |
|
Plant Propagation |
April 12 |
|
Woody Plant Identification
|
April 19 |
|
Vegetable Gardening |
May 10 |
|
Container Gardening |
May 17 |
|
All About Insects |
May 24 |
|
Pollinators & Gardening for Wildlife |
May 31 |
|
Problem Diagnosis |
June 7 |
|
Water and the Garden |
June 14 |
*topic offered on a particular date may change with instructor availability
2022 Graduation Requirements Checklist
- Watch the required online lectures and read chapter(s) by the date listed in the schedule
- Attend all online Zoom meetings
- Pass all online quizzes (score >70%)
- Attend all Garden Labs
- Complete these 45 volunteer hours by October 31:
- 24 hours at Master Gardener Help Desk in the Extension office
- up to 12 hours of this requirement can be completed at Community Plant Clinics (like at Farmers Markets)
- 12 hours at the Marion Demonstration Garden
- 4 hours helping with the MCMGA Plant Sale in May
- 5 hours your choice of approved projects (any of the above and/or Seed to Supper, Junior Master Gardener, etc.)
- 24 hours at Master Gardener Help Desk in the Extension office
- Enter your completed volunteer hours into the online system by October 31.
Absence Policy
The first year of the Master Gardener Program requires a time commitment due to the amount of gardening content that we cover. Attendance at all sessions is expected. Please schedule trips and other commitments on non-class days. If you anticipate being absent, please reach out in advance. Please do not attend in-person sessions if you are feeling sick or members of your household are sick.
Due to the nature of this course, make up options for workshops are limited. If you are unable to complete multiple sessions it may affect your ability to graduate in 2022. You may be asked to repeat coursework at another time or to complete an alternate assignment to cover the topic.
Refund policy
100% refund if registration is cancelled prior to picking up the text book
75% refund if registration is cancelled on or before January 24th
50% refund if registration is cancelled on or before February 14th
No refunds granted after February 14th
