WSU is an equal opportunity provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access to participate in an event, please contact Alex duPont, Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator, at alex.dupont@wsu.edu or (360) 395-2367 at least two weeks prior to the planned event. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request.
What is a Master Gardener?
Master Gardeners are community educators trained to work in partnership with WSU Extension to teach the public and enhance the quality of life in the community by promoting sound gardening practices with research-based information.
The Certification Process
The Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardener program starts with a 14-week course combining classroom and online computer based education. The weekly classes are held on Fridays at the Padilla Bay Reserve Meeting Room, beginning mid-January. The curriculum includes reading and lectures in botany, horticulture, soil science, sustainable garden management, integrated pest management, plant health, pesticide safety, entomology, pest management, plant pathology, plant disease diagnosis and control, weed identification, tree fruit and small fruit management.
After completing the academic course, Master Gardener Interns must complete 60 hours of supervised learning to become fully certified. This hands on training is completed at plant diagnostic clinics, the Discovery Garden, and other community outreach and education events such as farmers markets, Skagit County Fair, and community gardening classes.
After becoming certified, Master Gardeners must complete 25 hours of public service annually, including 5 hours of educational outreach to the public and 10 hours of MG continuing education to maintain their Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardener certification. Volunteers often give back much more!
Skagit County
WSU Extension
Master Gardener
Training
The application deadline in Skagit County is October 31 for training which begins in January. Applicants are interviewed during November. The cost of the Master Gardener education is $400. A refund of $100 is returned to the Master Gardener once the required volunteer time is completed by the end of their intern year. If you want to become a Master Gardener, apply here.
The information on the application will help determine if you qualify for the program, so please give thoughtful consideration to your answers. Although the rewards of becoming a Master Gardener are many, the training is academically rigorous and requires a large time commitment and computer skills.
If you have any questions, please contact Alex duPont, Skagit County Master Gardener Program Coordinator at alex.dupont@wsu.edu