Become a Master Gardener Volunteer
Program Contact: WSU Extension Island County Office
360-639-6060 • jana.mcgehee@wsu.edu
Are you a Whidbey or Camano Island gardener? Are you passionate about volunteering to help others? Maybe you have just moved to the area and want to get involved in the community and learn about gardening in the Puget Sound? Then the WSU Extension Island County Master Gardener Volunteer program may be just what you are looking for.
For over 50 years, WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers have helped educate people and build healthier communities. The Master Gardener program trains volunteers to work in partnership with WSU Extension to teach research-based gardening and environmental stewardship practices to Island County residents, while at the same time learning and having fun working with other like-minded volunteers.
Who Should Apply?
The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is open to all. Volunteers in Island County must reside on Camano or Whidbey Island. Successful applicants have an enthusiasm for volunteer work, enjoy talking to people about gardening, are curious, and are life-long learners. You do not need extensive horticulture knowledge to be accepted into the class, just a passion for learning about gardening, using research-based resources, and sharing this knowledge with others. By joining the program, you commit to serving the community as a volunteer gardening/horticulture educator and agree to the WSU Master Gardener Program expectations.
NOTE: If you would like to become a better gardener but don’t have the time or interest to become a volunteer, you can take the same online training and earn a Washington Gardener Certificate with no further volunteer commitment.
What Does Training Involve?
All WSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers receive in-depth horticulture training provided by university faculty, staff, and specialists through Washington Green School. Weekly training classes include online lectures, reading assignments, homework, and quizzes, plus in-person, collaborative classes. All classes focus on familiarization with horticultural topics and learning how to use WSU Extension approved resources to research, educate, and answer horticulture questions for the public.
Approved applicants will enroll in the Washington Green School program, which takes place over a 20-week period between October and February. The additional in-person class schedule is being planned. Attendance for all classes is required.
Upon the completion of training, you begin an internship. Master Gardener Interns volunteer alongside certified WSU Extension Master Gardeners, gaining comfort in community education and program participation. Interns are expected to complete 50 hours of volunteer service during the first year. Volunteer service includes answering garden questions at our answer clinics, helping to maintain our demonstration garden, or giving presentations, to name just a few of the many opportunities. Certified Master Gardeners continue in the MG Program by volunteering 25 hours per year along with 10 hours of continuing education to maintain certified status. There is no additional cost associated with annual re-certification.
Tuition for this extensive training program is $275, which includes online access to the coursework. All volunteers must complete a required background check, renewable every 3 years.
Being a volunteer is a great way to gain horticultural knowledge, meet other gardeners, connect with the community and be an important part of a well-respected, educational organization. We hope you will join us!
Apply to become a Master Gardener
If you are interested in applying to become a Master Gardener, contact the WSU Extension Island County Office at 360-639-6060 or via email at jana.mcgehee@wsu.edu.