Become a WSU Extension Master Gardener
Join us!
Training is offered every Fall, starting in October. Registration is open from July 1 to August 30. Please contact aaron.urseth@wsu.edu if interested.
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.
Quick Links
Training of all new Master Gardeners will be through the new and amazing Washington Green School! Green School will every October to the following February. Check out the video below to learn more.
Our current Master Gardeners in Ferry County are: Twinflower Wilkie, Richard Miller, Marah Hulse, Kathryn Bedney, and Mary Myers.
The Master Gardeners provide various activities throughout the county by hosting workshops, advising different community gardens, assisting individuals’ gardening issues, creating demonstration gardens, as well as presenting Ferry County’s Annual Garden tour, Conservation Fair Q & A and mini workshops, and a Ferry County Fair booth display.
If you are out and about and see a Master Gardener wearing a green apron and their name tag, feel free to stop and ask any gardening questions you may have. They will be happy to be of assistance. If you are interested in training, contact our office to be placed on our list.
Interested in joining the WSU Extension Ferry County Master Gardener Program? Before applying, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the expectations of the 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 [enter your county cut-off date].
After applying for and being accepted into the Extension Ferry County Master Gardener volunteer program, you will be asked to complete a background screening. WSU Extension Master Gardener interns must also complete WSU Extension’s Green School (Green School) *. 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.
Green School offers flexible, remote and hybrid training options. This includes self-paced online classes and online review sessions with subject matter experts from WSU. Combined with in-person activities and hands-on labs, 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 Green School: We’ll send you a registration link if accepted into the program. If you are not accepted and still want to complete Green School, we’ll send you a link to register. Registration will be open August 15 – September 30. Classes begin October 5.
Upon completing their 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.
< Insert your county Internship specifics here>
WSU Extension Master Gardeners are active across the state and their impacts are impressive. We have a user-friendly reporting system so that logging hours, reporting outreach and signing up for projects is simple. We’re required to report our efforts locally and to the state annually – we want to show off the good work our volunteers are doing! Check out our Annual Reports to read more. 2023 WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Annual Report
After we’ve put our outdoor gardens to bed, we start our annual renewal process for all Master Gardeners. Annual certification in the Extension Master Gardener Program is not automatic. After completion of Green School and your internship commitment, you will become certified. To maintain certification, volunteers must give at least [Volunteer Hours] hours of service and earn at least [Continuing Education Hours] 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.
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.
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 schedule | WA Green School | Washington State University
Add your county in-person activities/lab schedule here.
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.
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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 a minimum of [Volunteer Hours] by the end of the first calendar year.
A: After achieving certification as a WSU Extension Master Gardener, you commit to volunteering a minimum of [Volunteer Hours] annually and completing at least [Continuing Education Hours] 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.
- 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) a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to be completed by the end of the first calendar year or 60 hours by the end of the second calendar year after completing training.
- I understand that if I do not complete the minimum service hours requirements, I will be billed for each hour of service not completed at a rate of $25/hour.
- 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 of 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.
- I understand that I must have access to a computer, high speed internet, Zoom, email and the skills necessary to use the technology.
- I will engage in alignment with the mission, vision and values of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program
- I will engage in alignment with the Program Priorities.
- I will represent WSU Extension with dignity and pride. I understand that others may think and act differently than what I personally prefer, but I will be respectful of their held values and perspectives.
- I will respect all persons with whom I interact as a WSU Extension Master Gardener (fellow volunteers, Extension and other county personnel, and the general public).
- I will conduct myself in a courteous, respectful manner and refrain from profanity, harassment, disruptive behavior, or abuse of any kind.
- I will provide a positive role model when working with youth.
- I will respect and follow WSU, county, and program policies and guidelines.
- I will comply with equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination laws.
- I will not consume alcohol, use marijuana, tobacco (including vapor products), or illegal substances while representing WSU Extension.
- I will participate as a team member within the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program.
- I will wear my name badge when serving.
- I will cooperate with and support the local Extension Office staff and volunteers. I agree to comply with training, reporting, certification, annual requirements and all other policies as defined in the Master Gardener Program Handbook.
- I understand that WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers are held to high professional standards. Behaviors in direct conflict with the code of conduct or other federal, state, county and program policies will result in disciplinary action and could result in dismissal from the program.
- I understand that as a WSU volunteer I am considered an un-paid state agent and as such am covered under Washington State Workers Compensation Insurance. Furthermore, I understand that I am required to enter my volunteer time on a monthly basis into a database.
