Who are the WSU Master Gardener Volunteers?
We are a volunteer service gardening organization – cultivating plants, people, and communities since 1973.
Our Thurston County program is part of the statewide WSU Extension Master Gardener Program which combines horticulture training and public service. WSU Master Gardener volunteers are trained and certified as community educators to provide professional, unbiased, researched-based home gardening and horticulture information to the public through the following avenues:
- Gardening/Composting/Recycling Question and Answer Clinic
- Thurston County Demonstration gardens (Closed Loop Park, Dirt Works, Olympia Farmers Market Garden)
- Outreach and Workshops in Thurston County
WSU Master Gardener Program Priorities – The WSU Master Gardener Program addresses important sociologic and environmental issues by teaching research-based horticulture information. We want people to have important skills and abilities that help mitigate challenges and to understand that everyone has a role to play in creating and sustaining healthy and resilient communities.
50th Anniversary of the Master Gardener Program in 2023 – It all began at Washington State University… A grassroots, sociologic movement that started at WSU and was emulated across the United States and into Canada and South Korea, the Master Gardener Program is WSU Extension’s Flagship Volunteer program. Stay tuned for special events and activities in Thurston County as the Master Gardener Program celebrates 50 years in 2023.
WSU Master Gardener Volunteer Training
- Are you interested in becoming a WSU Master Gardener volunteer? Learn more about what WSU Master Gardener volunteers do and how to become one on our training page.
WSU Master Gardener Program services and online resources for our Thurston County community
- Do you have a gardening question? Contact our Q&A clinic and get your questions answered by an certified WSU Master Gardener volunteer.
- Gardening, Composting, and Recycling Resources
- Directions to WSU Thurston County Extension Office
- Irrigation Project for Vendors (password-protected)
Information for Current MG Volunteers
Click here to go to TOSS (password-protected)
Click her to go to the 2023 WSU Thurston County MG TRAINEE webpage (password-protected)
Click here to go to the 2022 WSU Thurston County MG TRAINEE webpage (password-protected)
Directions on how to use Zoom for a MG or MRC Meeting/Activity. Using Zoom for a MG or MRC Meeting (pdf)
“WSU Master Gardener Program of Thurston County”
Do You Have a Gardening Question?
Do you have a plant eaten-up by bugs or diseases? Maybe you have a plant or weed you cannot identify? Or, you have a spot in your garden and you need advice on what to plant? That’s where the WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers of Thurston County can help.
Gardening/Composting/Recycling Question/Answer Clinic –
Our WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers are answering your questions via email only.
If you have a question please email it to: master@co.thurston.wa.us
In-person Question/Answer Clinic at Thurston County Extension office is CLOSED
Our in-person and phone consultation question/answer clinic is currently CLOSED for the season.
The Gardens and Clinics are operated by WSU trained and certified volunteers. All services provided by Thurston County WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers are free to Thurston County residents. These volunteers can only provide information to home gardeners. Commercial farms and businesses need to contact Extension office for help, (360) 867-2162.
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons will disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Cori Carlton at 3054 Carpenter Rd. SE, Olympia WA 98503, 360-867-2162, at least two weeks prior to the beginning of training.