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Washington State University

Coronavirus COVID-19

COVID-19 Advisory: WSU Extension is working to keep our communities safe. All Extension programming is being provided virtually, or by approved plan. Effective July 6, 2021, Snohomish County WSU Extension will have a limited administration presence at Willis Tucker Park (Snohomish). The McCollum Park campus (Everett) continues to be closed to the public.  We are available via email, phone, and webconference.

Master Gardener Training

(425) 338-2400

Updated August 28, 2021

2022 MG Training

Because of the changing COVID-19 situation, we are still unsure of when and how we will offer Master Gardener Training in 2022 except that we still plan to offer it. We also do not know when we will begin the application process. Potential applicants should note that MG Trainees are WSU volunteers and are subject to the Governor’s proclamation (website) on vaccination and masking when training starts. Details are yet to be determined and will be included in the application announcement, which will appear first on this webpage. To be notified when applications are available, you may also send an email to Master Gardener Coordinator Howard Voland (email).

Volunteer Master Gardener Training

Subject to Change

Join over 300 WSU-Snohomish County Extension Master Gardener (MG) volunteers in teaching good gardening and related horticulture and environmental stewardship practices to Snohomish County residents while at the same time learning and and having fun working with other like-minded volunteers.

Tuition for this extensive training program (pdf) is expected to be $350 plus a minimum volunteer commitment of 40 hours each year for two years working on designated MG projects within Snohomish County. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and should generally be a resident of Snohomish County. To be notified when applications become available, please send an e-mail to Master Gardener Coordinator Howard Voland (email).

Cost of the training without the volunteer commitment is expected to be $850 for a limited number of full-tuition students, which are usually, but not limited to, horticultural professionals who don’t have the time for volunteering. Full-tuition application information will be available later on the Horticulture Professionals webpage.

Training focuses on familiarization and learning how to use resources to research, educate, mentor, and answer horticulture questions for the general public in a collaborative environment. With that in mind, all quizzes and exams are open book and can be re-taken. No memorization is required.

Training includes approximately 80 hours of college-level classroom and workshop instruction held once a week. Homework averages 4-6 hours a week during training, which includes all quizzes and the final exam. It is done using the WSU Master Gardener Online Training Program, which requires personal computer, internet, and e-mail access.

Additional information