Master Gardener Program
Erika Johnson, Program Coordinator
erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
(564) 397-5738
Become a Master Gardener
About Volunteer Training
When to Apply for Training
Training Requirements
Payback Requirements
Years of Service
History of the Program
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Become A Master Gardener
Interns receive over 60 hours of college-level, WSU-certified training through Washington Green School. Classes are taught by university faculty/staff, local experts and Master Gardeners. Students need to complete each session of the training course, including in-person activities scheduled in Clark County.
After completing Green School, Master Gardener interns complete 50 hours of service in their first year. They assist the public in solving home gardening problems and answering questions. Upon completion of these hours, an intern becomes a Certified WSU Master Gardener and agrees to provide 25 volunteer hours a year and to participate in 10 hours a year of continuing education. In subsequent years, “veteran” Master Gardeners continuing providing service and completing continuing education.
About The Training
The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program for people with a passion for plants, a drive to learn, and a commitment to serve. Candidates for the program may have very little experience or knowledge about horticulture or they may have a lot, but all have a desire to learn. By signing up to join the program, you are committing to serving the community as a gardening/horticulture educator.
The Master Gardener training combines three “modalities,” following the curriculum of Washington Green School. You will access online lectures and readings at your own pace plus participate in live discussion sessions via Zoom (online) and attend in-person activities with everyone in the Clark County group.
Interns commit to weekly study, completing chapter quizzes, viewing on-line content, and completing a final exam, as well as other short take-home assignments. In order to certify as a Master Gardener, interns must pass the quizzes and exam with an 80% or higher grade.
Master Gardener Training
Application for the 2025-2026 session has closed. The information below is meant to convey some of the details that are likely to be similar for the next session.
Dates: Through Washington Green School, online on your own schedule, from October 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026. In-person sessions will be on Wednesdays with breaks around holidays. The draft in-person schedule is as follows:
Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29,
Nov. 5, 12 and 19,
Dec. 3 and 17,
Jan 14 and
Feb. 11
9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the dates above.
Fee: $275 — payable to WSU. Study materials are included. (Limited tuition assistance is available. Information will be available on the application form.)
Interns must submit a national background check through Sterling Volunteers at a cost of $15, paid by the applicant.
Location: Locations for in-person sessions in Clark County will vary. For most people, none is more than a half-hour drive from their home or workplace.
Time and Equipment Needs: You will need regular access to a computer or tablet. The training “modalities” include online reading and listening, so you will need access to the internet. A computer will be best for these because some content will be text to read. If this is a concern for you, please consider visiting a branch of the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. If that poses a challenge, please contact Erika Johnson (telephone (564) 397-5738 or email erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu)
For the discussion sessions, you’ll need access to Zoom (a free application) and the internet. A smartphone with internet access will work for these.
Interested? See the next steps: Please apply only if you know you can complete online coursework and participate in the on-site activities on Wednesday mornings.
When to Apply
The application process for the 2025-2026 training session is now closed. Applications will be available starting in May, 2026 for the 2026-2027 session. Send an email to Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu to be put on a notification list for an application for the next session or if you have any questions.
Payback Responsibilities
After completion of training program volunteers are known as “interns”. During the first calendar year, interns serve at least 40 volunteer hours. Projects include answer clinic, community outreach, community presentations, and many other options. After completing one year with volunteer service, someone is designated a Certified Master Gardener, giving at least 25 hours of service and completing at least 10 hours of continuing education. In the following years, Master Gardener “veterans” remain active through at least 25 volunteer hours of service and at least 10 hours of continuing education.
If the Payback Responsibility is not right for you, Washington Green School is an option. See the information about Washington Green School training.
Years of Service
It is not unusual for volunteers to serve for more than five years after completing the initial training and the required payback. There are even WSU Master Gardener volunteers who have remained with the program for as many as twenty years! Although this lengthy commitment is not a requirement for the program many volunteers enjoy the camaraderie, social opportunities, and educational enrichment that are the rewards of being an experienced and sought-after volunteer.
History of the Master Gardener Program
2023 marked the 40th anniversary of the first Master Gardener class in Clark County! We estimate that over 1,900 volunteers have completed Master Gardener training since the program’s inception.
The first Master Gardener Program was initiated in the State of Washington in 1973. Area Extension Agents in the Puget Sound region found themselves overwhelmed with questions on horticulture, gardening and plant problems, especially in the urban counties. The objective of the first program was to train a group of skilled volunteers in plant identification and selection, fruit and vegetable gardening, soils, insect and disease control, and lawns. In return for this training class participants were expected to assist local Extension personnel in providing home gardening information to residents of the their communities. With experience and mentoring Master Gardener volunteers became very proficient at answering nearly all of the home gardening calls, thus freeing up Extension staff for program development.
More recently Master Gardening training has evolved into a program stressing sustainable gardening practices involving integrated pest management, natural gardening, water efficient landscaping, and plant selection for the urban environment. Volunteers now spend time in the Extension office as well as working in the community in elementary school gardening programs, neighborhood associations, and in association with local ornamental plant associations.
The early success in Washington led to the formation of Master Gardener Programs all across the United States associated with many of the land-grant universities.
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| WSU Clark County Master Gardener Program 1919 NE 78th Street • Vancouver, WA 98665 ((564) 397-5738 |
