The dahlia garden at Woodcock.

Become a WSU Extension Master Gardener

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WSU Extension > Clallam County > Master Gardeners > Join us
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Join us!

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Do you want to learn more about gardening, meet new people and make a difference in the community? The WSU Extension Master Gardener Program may be just right for you. You will learn science-based knowledge to tackle the yard and garden problems that matter to you and to, your friends, neighbors and community.

Applications are open now for the 2026/27 Master Gardener training!

Quick Links

Interested in joining the WSU Extension Clallam County Master Gardener Program? The process begins with submitting an application, which includes agreeing to the program’s guidelines. Our county’s application period is open from July 1 to September 1st. Whe highly recommend that you attend an information session to learn what the program is all about, and to get your questions answered.

  • Friday, July 10th, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Port Angeles Library 
  • Saturday, July 11th, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Neah Bay Marina conference room
  • Thursday, August 6, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. online on Zoom
  • Saturday, August 8, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Neah Bay Marina conference room
  • Friday, August 14, 4:30-5:30 at Sequim Library

After applying, you will be asked to attend a short interview. The first round of interviews will be scheduled the first week of August. Interviews and acceptance are on a rolling basis, so apply early! Once accepted to the Clallam County Master Gardener training you will be asked to complete a background screening and be given a link to register. The cost of training is $275 (please inquire about scholarships if you need one).

All WSU Extension Master Gardeners (EMG’s) receive in-depth horticulture training provided by university faculty, staff, and specialists. Training is critical to ensure that all volunteers have access to the information necessary to support our mission. The Master Gardener training includes two parts- an online portion and in-person local volunteer training.

WSU Extension Master Gardener trainees complete WSU Extension’s online Washington Gardeners Certificate course (WGC) *. The WGC course offers flexible, remote and hybrid learning. This includes self-paced online reading and lectures and live online review sessions with subject matter experts from WSU. Combined with 40 hours of in-person activities and hands-on local volunteer training, you’ll have the flexibility to learn at home and practice with fellow volunteers.

Courses are specific to the PNW’s climate, soil, environment, insects, wildlife, and plants. Training is a big commitment and includes reading (online, no text required), homework, quizzes, in-class activities, lectures, and a final exam.

*Register for the Washington Gardeners Certificate (WGC) course: We’ll send you a registration link if accepted into the Master Gardener training. If you are not accepted into the class or if you don’t want to be a volunteer, and still want to complete the Washington Gardeners Certificate (the online portion of the course), you can register for the WGC directly. Registration for WGC (not to be confused with the MG training application deadline, which is September 1) will be open August 15 – September 30. Classes begin the week of October 5.

Learn more about the Washington Gardeners Certificate (sometimes referred to as Green School)

Upon completing training, trainees transition into interns. As Interns, they volunteer alongside certified WSU Extension Master Gardeners, enhancing their knowledge and skills while gaining comfort in community education and program participation. 

Interns are asked to complete 100 hours of volunteer service within 2 years of graduation to become a certified Master Gardener volunteer. Interns must include volunteering at Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinics, providing direct public education, helping at demonstration gardens, and seeking out continuing education opportunities in these first 100 hours.

WSU Extension Master Gardeners are active across the state and their impacts are impressive. Volunteers record hours and outreach efforts using an online system. Our communtiy impacts are reported locally and state-wide annually – we want to show off the good work our volunteers are doing! Check out our Annual Reports to read more. 2025 WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Annual Report. Reporting hours also maintains a volunteers eligibility for WSU liability coverage.

After completing the Master Gardener training and internship, you will become a certified Master Gardener volunteer. To maintain certification, volunteers must give at least 30 hours of service and earn at least 10 hours of continuing education each year. Volunteers who have met the minimum requirements to remain certified will be offered the opportunity to request continuing certification for the following year. There is no fee associated with annual certification.

Contact us about upcoming training in Clallam County

The passion and dedication demonstrated by WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers underscores the positive impact that programs like these can have on individuals and communities. Volunteers highlight a number of benefits they receive from participating in such a program:

Being a WSU Extension Master Gardener offers a continuous learning experience. Participants deepen their understanding of horticultural science and gardening practices and stay up-to-date on the latest gardening research and techniques.

The sense of community and the opportunity to learn from fellow WSU Extension Master Gardeners contributes to a supportive and enriching environment. Sharing experiences and knowledge among members fosters continuous growth and improvement.

The core aspect of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program is community service. Volunteers take pride in sharing their expertise to benefit local communities by offering guidance, workshops, and assistance on research-based, best gardening practices to fellow community members.

WSU Extension Master Gardeners often earn respect and recognition from their communities for their valuable contributions. This acknowledgment can be a source of pride and satisfaction, reinforcing the importance of the work they do.

Involvement in the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program provides a sense of purpose. Participants find fulfillment in contributing to a greater cause, knowing that their efforts positively impact the environment and the well-being of the community.

Susan Kalmar, Judy English, and Jeanette Stehr-Green pose for a picture.

If you’re passionate about gardening and want to make a positive impact, participating in the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program can be a fulfilling and educational experience. It’s an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge, connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts, and give back by sharing your expertise with others.

Frequently asked questions:

A: WGS fee schedule | WA Green School | Washington State University

Additional fees beyond tuition:

One time background check fee ($16) (renewals are covered by the program every 3rd year)

Optional soil test ($35)

A. WGS schedule | WA Green School | Washington State University

Local County Schedule will be posted soon…

The integration of various horticulture topics offers a comprehensive education, encompassing both the science and art of gardening. Additionally, it equips participants with the necessary skills to effectively disseminate this knowledge within the community. This approach underscores the program’s dedication to science-based education and sustainable practices. As a result, graduates of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program possess a solid horticultural foundation and the confidence to engage in community education and outreach.

A: Between class time, homework, and online classes, students should plan for 10 hours a week.

A: Training will consist of a combination of local in-person sessions combined with online coursework.

A: Upon completing the course, trainees transition to interns. Interns volunteer alongside certified WSU Extension Master Gardeners to enhance their knowledge and skills while gaining comfort in community education and program participation. To earn WSU Extension Master Gardener certification, intern volunteers must contribute 100 hours within 2 years of completing training.

A: After achieving certification as a WSU Extension Master Gardener (after finishing the initial 100 hours to become certified), you commit to volunteering a minimum of 30 hours annually and completing at least 10 hours of continuing education. At the end of each year, if you’ve met these requirements, your continued interest in the program is confirmed by submitting a straightforward annual certification form. There is no fee associated with annual certification. Background checks are required every 3 years.

  • I understand that I must be 18 years of age at the time I am accepted into the Program.
  • I understand that I must apply to the program and that my acceptance is not automatic. I may not be accepted. The right to accept or deny is held by WSU Extension.
  • I understand that my acceptance into the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program commits me to 1) completing WSU Extension Master Gardener training, and 2) 100 hours of volunteer service completed by the end of the second calendar year after completing training.
  • I understand that WSU Extension conducts background checks on all volunteers using a third-party vendor. A criminal record will not necessarily bar me as a volunteer but will be considered as it relates to the specifics of volunteer work.
  • I understand that volunteering is a privilege, not a right. If selected as a volunteer, I understand that I serve at the request of WSU Extension and that the request can be withdrawn at any time.
  • I agree to disseminate information without regard to race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sec, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
  • I agree to follow all applicable federal, state, county, WSU, and WSU extension policies, regulations, laws.
  • I agree to provide only research-based horticulture information from WSU or other research-based and approved resources.
  • I understand that as a volunteer, I am limited to giving advice to home gardeners only. It is not my role to advise commercial industries.
  • I understand that I must not give advice that could be perceived as legal, nor am I permitted to give advice about growing marijuana, food safety and preservation, and mushrooms and foraging.
  • I understand that I must not use my WSU Extension Master Gardener Certification to provide product or service endorsements; nor may I use my certification to advertise my personal business or while I am performing professional services i.e., landscape management.
  • I understand that I must follow the pest management recommendation policy, which follows and integrated pest management (IPM) approach. An IPM approach includes providing information about cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods using WSU approved resources. If your personally held values prohibit your ability to advise about the safe and appropriate use of pesticides, becoming a WSU Extension Master Gardener may not be for you.