Apply to be a Master Gardener!

2026-2027 Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardener Training Application

The WSU Extension Master Gardener Program is open to individuals interested in becoming volunteers and sharing gardening and horticulture knowledge with the general public through community outreach. Extension Master Gardener volunteers engage with communities to support stewardship of our soil, water and wildlife, and contribute to food security by using sustainable gardening practices. We welcome applicants of all experience levels and backgrounds who are passionate about increasing their gardening knowledge and giving back to communities through volunteer service.

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To become a WSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, you must be 18 years of age or older. Are you 18 years of age or older?

◻ Yes ◻ No

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Name:______________________________________________________________________________________________

                    (First)                                             (Middle)                                              (Last)     

Preferred Name:________________________________________________________

Mailing Address:__________________________________________________________________________________

                             (Street)                                         (City)                                                    (Zip)

How may we refer to you? ____she/her  ____he/him  ____they/them     other: _____________________

Would you like your pronouns included on your name badge? (circle one)        Yes____ No____

Phone: Day: (         ) ____________________                    Best Time to Call:  __________

Eve: (         ) ____________________                    Best Time to Call:  __________

Email Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

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Please list an emergency contact:

Name:_____________________________________________

Relationship:______________________________________

Phone:_____________________________________________

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How did you learn about the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program?

Have you been to a WSU Extension Master Gardener clinic or demonstration garden (Discovery Garden)?

Please describe your gardening experience or education/training (personal, volunteer, or work), or if you have not gardened, why gardening interests you:

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What are you most excited to learn more about? (please check all that apply)

◻ Annuals

◻ Perennials

◻ Roses

◻ Lawns

◻ Ornamental grasses

◻ Native plants

◻ Wildlife habitat

◻ Vegetables

◻ Wildfire-resistant Landscaping

◻ Herbs

◻ Houseplants

◻ Fruit trees

◻ Pruning

◻ Soils

◻ Composting

◻ Climate resilient gardening

◻ Propagation

◻ Greenhouses

◻ Container gardening

◻ Insects

◻ Plant diseases

◻ Weeds

◻ Landscape design

◻ Water gardens

◻ Waterwise gardening

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Share experiences where you used your time (volunteered) to help others or a cause:

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In the Master Gardener Program, we often rely on volunteers’ other skills, interests or experience. What non-gardening skills do you have that you would be willing to share in support of the Program? (please check all that apply)

◻ Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook

◻ Website development

◻ Graphic design

◻ Photography

◻ Event planning

◻ Drawing/illustrating

◻ Fundraising

◻ Writing/publishing

◻ Grant writing

◻ Proofreading

◻ Marketing & publicity

◻ Research/data collection

◻ Public speaking

◻ Teaching

◻ Community organizing

◻ Treasurer/accounting

◻ Other

Please provide specific information on the above checked categories: (optional)

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If you are able to speak, read, or write a language(s) other than English (including American Sign Language), please list:

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Why do you wish to become a WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer? For example, what do you hope to contribute or gain from participating in the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program?

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Is there any other information about your skills, knowledge, training, lived experiences, or abilities you would like us to have?

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Photo/Video Release: I understand that, unless noted below, WSU Extension may use photos, video, audio recordings made of me at events to promote the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program without compensation. I understand that WSU Extension may reveal my name in descriptive text or commentary.

◻ I do not agree

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Personal References
References: List non-family members who have knowledge of your skills, abilities, and qualifications. Individuals should have worked with you on projects and activities and/or have direct experience with or knowledge of your qualifications.  Please provide phone numbers.

Reference #1
First Name:___________________________________

Last Name:___________________________________

Home phone:___________________________________

Work phone:___________________________________

Email:___________________________________

Relationship:___________________________________

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Reference #2
First Name:___________________________________

Last Name:___________________________________

Home phone:___________________________________

Work phone:___________________________________

Email:___________________________________

Relationship:___________________________________

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I authorize Washington State University Extension to contact the listed references. I understand that a criminal background check is required prior to being fully accepted as a volunteer in the program.  I understand that misrepresentation or omission of required information is just cause for non-appointment as a volunteer with Washington State University Extension.  I understand that I serve at the pleasure of the Washington State University Extension and agree to abide by the policies of Washington State University Extension and individual program areas and to fulfill the volunteer responsibilities to the best of my ability.

By signing and submitting this application, I agree to the Volunteer & Expectations Agreement at EMG Agreement

Signature:______________________________________ Date:____________________________

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Civil Rights Information WSU Master Gardener Volunteers

Confidential & Voluntary The WSU Extension Master Gardener program is part of a land-grant university system. The land-grant university system was built on the principle that all people should have access to education. The WSU Extension Master Gardener program wants to ensure we uphold this principle in our work.

Additionally, Washington State University Extension and its programs are federally funded and as such are required by the Civil Rights Act to report demographic information for employees, volunteers and community persons who seek our services. Please complete this form and return it to your local program coordinator. Responses will not be used in the selection process. This page will be removed prior to the application being reviewed.

Our goal for collecting this information is to see how well we uphold the land-grant principle of access to education. We summarize the race, ethnicity, and gender of volunteers and of the people we serve to determine how closely WSU Master Gardener programs are to balanced participation in each county.

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Note: Your name will not be reported in conjunction with your Race, Ethnicity and Gender data. The data is reported as an aggregate to USDA-NIFA and names are never included in the reports. Individually identifiable information will be treated as confidential, is not disclosed without (written) consent, and is not included in the review of application to become an Extension Master Gardener volunteer. Your name is only used to record who has reported and who has not in order to accurately report Race, Ethnicity and Gender data.

What is your gender?

◻ Male

◻ Female

◻ Non-binary

◻ Gender other or unidentified

◻ Prefer not to respond

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What is your ethnicity?

◻ Hispanic or Latino

◻ Non-Hispanic or Non-Latino

◻ Ethnicity unidentified

◻ Prefer not to respond

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What is your race?

◻ White

◻ Black or African American

◻ First Nations / American Indian / Alaska Native

◻ Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander

◻ Asian

◻ Two or more races

◻ Non-binary

◻ Race other or unidentified

◻ Prefer not to respond

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