Become a WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener Volunteer

Before applying to become a WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer, it is important to thoroughly read all the information on this page to understand what it means to be a WSU Master Gardener volunteer and the application and training process.

The application process includes the following steps:

Step 1: Complete the online application by 5 p.m. Friday August 28.

PDF version of application

Important notes about the online application:

• You will need to read the Volunteer Expectations & Agreement before submitting your application.
• Be prepared to complete it in one session. There is no option to save it and continue later.
• Make sure to select “Submit” when you are finished completing the application.
• You will receive a submission confirmation immediately after selecting “Submit”, and a separate receipt confirmation email from one of our staff when we have received your application.

Step 2: Attend Meet and Greet

After your application is submitted and reviewed, you will be contacted to schedule an in-person Meet and Greet session with Program Staff.

Meet and Greet sessions are 60 minutes.

Step 3: Pass Background Check

After Step 1 and Step 2 are completed, instructions for completing a background check will be sent via email. Applicant is responsible for completing and paying for the background check. The cost is $16.

Step 4: Register for Washington Gardener Certificate course

Once applicant has completed Steps 1-3, they will be notified of acceptance into the volunteer program and registration link for Washington Gardener Certificate course will be provided.

Applicant is responsible for registering for Washington Gardener Certificate course by the deadline. Registration fee for Washington Gardeners Certificate (volunteer track) of $275 is to be paid at registration.

Total cost to take a course : $291 (course fee plus $16 background check fee)

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.

The 2026-2027 training includes comprehensive virtual, classroom, and field-based instruction, starting Friday, September 25, 2026, and ending Friday, May 14, 2027.

Training to become an Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer include 2 main components:

1. Washington Gardeners Certificate (WGC) online course. The online course will take place over a 20-week period between October 2026 and February 2027. 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. Courses are specific to the climate, soil, environment, insects, wildlife, and plants of the Pacific Northwest. Training is a big commitment and includes reading (online, no text required), homework, quizzes, in-class activities, lectures, and a final exam.
2. Local Volunteer Training (LVT). Trainees attend in-person training days for hands-on learning at locations across Thurston County with the WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program. Trainees are expected to attend in-person sessions from 9 a.m. to 4pm on the following dates:
   • Friday September 25, 2026
   • Friday October 23, 2026
   • Friday November 20, 2026
   • Friday December 11, 2026
   • Friday January 29, 2027
   • Friday February 19, 2027
   • Friday March 5, 2027
   • Friday April 16, 2027
   • Friday May 14, 2026

Upon completing their training, trainees transition into their internship. As interns, they volunteer alongside certified WSU Extension Master Gardeners, enhancing their knowledge and skills while gaining comfort in community education and program participation. Interns are expected to complete 40 hours of volunteer service their first year (May 2027 to end of May 2028).

Volunteer service includes answering garden questions from the public at our virtual or in-person clinics, helping to maintain one of our demonstration gardens, giving presentations, or helping with our children’s garden – to name just a few of the many opportunities.

After completion of training and your internship commitment, you will become a certified WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer. To maintain certification, volunteers must give at least 25 hours of service and earn at least 10 hours of continuing education each year.

We have a user-friendly online systems so that signing up for volunteer opportunities and logging hours 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!

WSU Extension Master Gardeners are active across the state and their impacts are impressive. Check out our Annual Reports to read more: 2024 WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Annual Report

After we’ve put our outdoor gardens to bed in the fall, we start our annual recommitment process for all Master Gardeners. Annual certification in the Extension Master Gardener Program is not automatic. 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.

Costs for application and training:

$16 – Background check during application process

+

$275 – Registration fee for Washington Gardeners Certificate (volunteer track)

= $291 – total cost for training to become a WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer

Note: there is not a separate fee for Local Volunteer Training.

Credit or debit card is required to pay online for background check and registration fee. Checks are not accepts. There is no payment plan available.

On-going costs:

$16 – Background check every 3 years after initial background check (this amount may change in the future).

If you have questions about costs please contact Cori Carlton, Program Coordinator, at cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us

Since 1973, the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program has been engaging university-trained volunteers to empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship education. WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers are the foundation of the program and are the go-to resource for communities seeking research-based, innovated solutions for their ever-changing horticulture and environmental stewardship needs.

Every county in Washington State has a WSU Extension Master Gardener Program, including Thurston County.

The WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program is sponsored by Washington State University Extension and Thurston County. WSU Master Gardener volunteers assist WSU Thurston County Extension in providing information to home and community gardeners about sound and sustainable gardening practices.

Becoming a certified WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer is a lot of work and takes commitment, but it is a rewarding journey. Although not for everyone, volunteering with the WSU Master Gardener program has many benefits. WSU Master Gardener volunteers:

• Learn research-based techniques to create a thriving garden that also benefits our environment;
• Connect with horticulture and gardening experts;
• Have access to continuing education opportunities to expand their gardening knowledge and better serve the public in the fields of horticulture, conservation, and sustainability;
• Make a positive difference in Thurston County on critical issues such as food security and water quality;
• Build new friendships with other passionate gardeners;
• Find a renewed sense of purpose;
• Have fun!

You will become part of the 200+ Thurston County WSU Master Gardener volunteers who have very diverse backgrounds of gardening expertise and interests. As a result of this diversity you will have fun learning from one another while making lifelong friendships.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers are university trained educators who empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship education to address priorities like climate change and access to local food.

Extension Master Gardeners make an impact in Thurston County by…

• Offering Plant Answer Clinics to support gardeners.
• Delivering engaging community presentations.
• Hosting hands-on gardening demonstrations in one of our 3 demonstration gardens and other community spaces.
• Organizing educational youth workshops for our Children’s Garden program.
• Serving in our Food Bank Garden, raising food for the Thurston County Food Bank.
• Contributing in many other meaningful ways!

To maintain certification volunteers must:

• Give at least 25 hours of service in Thurston County and earn at least 10 hours of continuing education each year.
• Log your hours.
• Complete the annual recommitment process.
• Pass background check (done every 3 years).

1. Check out our Gardening, Composting, and Recycling Resources page for a list of free reliable horticulture resources.
2. WSU offers the Washington Gardener certificate for people that want to be better gardeners and receive science-based horticulture information but don’t want to be a volunteer.
   • Benefits of earning the Washington Gardener Certificate through WA Green School:
     • Learn from horticulture experts
     • Boost your resume
     • Promote your business
     • Grow your gardening knowledge
   • Fully online course with virtual instruction and live review sessions
   • Great for gardeners, horticultural professionals, garden club members, and teachers
   • Process to earn your “Washington Gardener” certificate:
     • Register for WA Green School. Registration will open August 2026.
3. Review course offerings at Washington Green School.

Subscribe to our quarterly e-newsletter to be notified about the next WSU Thurston County Master Gardener volunteer training.  For all other questions about WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Training, please contact our Program Coordinator, Cori Carlton, at cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2162.