{"id":131224,"date":"2018-11-15T13:56:25","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T21:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/?page_id=131224"},"modified":"2026-07-02T14:26:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T21:26:49","slug":"become-a-master-gardener","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/mastergardeners\/become-a-master-gardener\/","title":{"rendered":"Become a Master Gardener"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter single\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-137066 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower-396x396.jpg\" alt=\"WSU Extension Master Gardener flower logo\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower-396x396.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower-792x792.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower-198x198.jpg 198w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower-990x990.jpg 990w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower-1188x1188.jpg 1188w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2024\/11\/MG-flower.jpg 1225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px\" \/><\/a>WSU Extension Master Gardeners are volunteer community educators.<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The WSU Extension Master Gardener Program trains volunteers to be effective community educators in research-based gardening practices and environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n<p>The program is open to those with an interest in gardening and the desire to use their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to make a positive impact in our local community. Although gardening experience is not required to participate in the program, having a willingness to learn and to serve your community as a volunteer are highly encouraged and recommended.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<h3>Are you interested in joining the WSU Extension Benton-Franklin County Master Gardener Program?<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To become a WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer is a 12-month-long commitment in which you must complete these three training activities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WA Green School Course<\/strong> \u2013 online and offline delivery of content over a 20-week period from October 2026 to February 2027 where you explore a variety of topics such as botany, plant identification, entomology, soil science, plant problem diagnosis, integrated pest management, and pollinators.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Local Volunteer Training<\/strong> \u2013 consists of up to twelve in-person learning labs and\/or hands-on training sessions at locations within the Tri-Cities area between October 2026 and March 2027.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Volunteer Internship<\/strong> \u2013 40 hours of service on designated Benton\/Franklin County Master Gardener projects to be completed by September 2027. Work alongside Certified Master Gardeners to apply your newly gained knowledge and skills, gain confidence in community education, and experience what it truly means to be an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>To learn more\u2026<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you are curious about what is expected from a Master Gardener Volunteer, <a href=\"https:\/\/mastergardener.wsu.edu\/get-involved\/join-us\/agreement-review\/\">review the program expectations here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you wish to learn more before applying to become a Master Gardener Volunteer, contact us at (509) 735-3551 or email <a href=\"mailto:wsuextension@co.benton.wa.us\">wsuextension@co.benton.wa.us<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Informational Sessions coming soon!<\/h3>\n<p>We will be scheduling some virtual informational sessions during the month of July where you can find out more about the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program and ask questions. Please check back here around mid-July to register for a session.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Apply today!<\/h2>\n<p>We are now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Extension Master Gardener volunteer training session.<br \/>\n<strong>Applications are due no later than August 31, 2026.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter halves\" style=\"padding-bottom:4rem\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><strong>Submit completed applications to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>WSU Benton County Extension<br \/>\n7102 W. Okanogan Pl., Suite 102<br \/>\nKennewick, WA 99336<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-column  two\" style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2026\/07\/2026-Benton-Franklin-WSU-Master-Gardener-Volunteer-Application-Fall_2026_Winter_2027-FINAL1.pdf\" class=\"cpb-action-button cpb-action-button-item\"><span class=\"link-title\">Download Application<\/span><\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  gray-dark-back has-background-color white-text pad-ends gutter single full-bleed\" style=\"padding-top:1rem\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><h2 class=\"cpb-subtitle white-text\">\n\t\t\tContact Us\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter thirds\" style=\"padding-top:1.5rem\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-image\"> \n\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2022\/03\/Full-Color-BF-Logo.png\" style=\"width:100%;display:block\" alt=\"WSU Extension Benton Franklin County\" \/> \n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-column  two\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><span style=\"font-size: 16px\">7102 W. Okanogan Place, Suite 102<br \/>\nKennewick, WA 99336<br \/>\nPhone:\u00a0 509-735-3551<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:wsuextension@co.benton.wa.us\">Email<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-column  three\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wsumastergardeners\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-135505\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2022\/11\/Icons-Temp_icon-social-facebook.png\" alt=\"Facebook Logo\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/wsubfmastergardener\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-135506\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2022\/11\/Icons-Temp_icon-social-instagram.png\" alt=\"Instagram Logo\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC9ahoc_pbpF7_53uIR7sSgg\/videos\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-135507\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2071\/2022\/11\/Icons-Temp_icon-social-youtube.png\" alt=\"YouTube logo\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter single\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter side-left\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-column  two\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The WSU Extension Master Gardener Program is open to adults with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on our local community.\u00a0 You do not need to be an expert gardener to apply, you just need to have a desire to learn and serve your community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34206,"featured_media":0,"parent":95,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_wsuwp_accessibility_report":[]},"categories":[],"tags":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/131224"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131224"}],"version-history":[{"count":69,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/131224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":137708,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/131224\/revisions\/137708"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/95"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131224"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=131224"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/benton-franklin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=131224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}