Become a Master Gardener Volunteer
If you have an interest in gardening and enjoy helping others, you are invited to apply to become an Oregon State University Master Gardener.
Enrollment for the 2024 Union County Master Gardener training + volunteer program is closed. To be notified when applications open for the 2025 training, sign up for our online newsletter here.
Cost: $155, due after your application is accepted. Need-based scholarships are available.
Commitment: Master Gardener trainees must complete 40 hours of instruction and 40 hours of volunteer work by October 31, 2024. Priority will be given to applicants who display an interest in both the home horticulture training and volunteer components of the Master Gardener program. Those wishing to complete just the garden education portion may pursue a Certificate of Home Horticulture via OSU's online continuing education program (find out more here) and/or may elect to attend any or all Union County training dates that are open to the general public (find out more about Community Classes here).
Training Schedule: Classes cover the foundations of home horticulture (basic botany, entomology, garden soils, plant pests & diseases, pesticide safety) and focused topics that explore sustainable gardening via ornamental trees & shrubs, fruit trees, vegetable gardening, berry cultivation, lawn care, and more. All instruction is appropriate to our growing region. View the full 2024 schedule here.
How to Apply: The application is online. To access it, you must create a login with IdealLogic. This is the same platform (and the same login) you will use for the online portions of the Master Gardener training. IdealLogic uses an outside provider account to create the login, rather than storing password information in house. If you have a Google, Facebook, Microsoft (including Live, Outlook, and Hotmail), Twitter, or Linked In account, you will use it to login to the application. This is a security measure required by OSU's IT department and there is no way around it. If you don't currently have an account with one of the above providers, you can create a free account just for the purposes of logging in to this application.
Payment is not due until your application is accepted.
Contact the Union County Master Gardener Program Coordinator if you you need help with any part of this process.
Accessing the Master Gardener Training
Please note that all participants will need to complete some online coursework. If you don't have access to a computer or the internet, the Union County Extension office has a computer station available Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm that is free for you to use.
If you would like to learn about options for participating remotely or make an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact the Program Coordinator at least 14 days before the course begins.
Master Gardener Volunteering
So you think you might like to become a Master Gardener, but what does that actually mean?
Master Gardener volunteers use the skills they've gained from the training to help guide community members to high-quality, research-based information. Although there is a wealth of useful information about gardening on the Internet, it can be difficult for novice gardeners to separate good advice from questionable or unproven recommendations. The Master Gardener training will help you navigate these resources to find reliable information to share with community members seeking advice or instruction. Successful volunteers are those who enjoy learning, collaborating with a team, and sharing the joys of gardening with others.
Requirements: After completing the training, Master Gardeners must log at least 40 volunteer hours by October 31st of the same year to earn their certification. In subsequent years, the training need not be repeated if a Master Gardener completes at least 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 of continuing education annually.
Examples of Volunteer Opportunities
- Garden Clinic - Work with fellow volunteers at the Extension Office or at home to answer questions that come into the Extension office.
- Farmers Market Booth - Hang out at the farmers market to answer gardening questions, perform soil pH tests, and be an ambassador for the Master Gardner program.
- Projects - A qualifying project would make gardening education and inspiration available to the community. Projects are driven by the interests and skill sets of an individual or team of Master Gardeners. Examples: plant & maintain a demonstration garden (at the Extension building or another public space), create an educational display that communicates a sustainable gardening concept, plan & implement a gardening workshop or event focused on education.
- Tend a demonstration plot and hold Master Gardener "office hours" at a local community garden.
- Write for the Newsletter - Share your knowledge by writing seasonally relevant, research-based garden tips, how-to's, etc for our local gardening newsletter. Creativity is welcome!
