WSU Extension > Thurston County > Gardening > Become a WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener > WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener Volunteer Training Application

WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener Volunteer Training Application

WSU Extension > Thurston County > Gardening > Become a WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener > WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener Volunteer Training Application

Thank you for your interest in the 2026-2027 WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener Volunteer Training program. The training class has a cap and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. If there is still room, the very last date to submit your volunteer application is 5 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026. You must be 18 years old or older to apply.

Need technical assistance?

If you need technical assistance with the online application form or with downloading the PDF application, please email Jennifer Post, Program Assistant, at jennifer.post@co.thurston.wa.us.

Questions about training or the application?

If you have questions about the training, becoming a volunteer, or the application process, please contact Cori Carlton, Program Coordinator, at cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us.

Important notes about the online application:

You will need to read the Volunteer Expectations & Agreement before submitting your application. Right click on link and select “open link in new tab” to view page.
Be prepared to complete online form 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.

More information – WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program

2026-2027 WSU Extension Thurston County Master Gardener Volunteer Training - Online Application

Deadline to submit the Volunteer Application is 5 p.m. on August 28, 2026. The training class is filled on a first come, first serve basis. After completing the application, click the "SUBMIT" button at the bottom of the page to submit your application. A confirmation message will appear letting you know that your submission was successful. You will also receive an email from Program Staff to confirm that we have received your online application.

Applicant Contact Information

Are you 18 years of age or older?(Required)

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

Yes

Name(Required)

First Middle Last

Name you prefer to use (i.e. John instead of Johnathan, etc):

What name do you want on your name badge?(Required)

First and last name are required.

First Last

Mailing Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP Code

Preferred Pronouns (select one):

she/her

he/him

they/them

Other

Would you like your pronouns on your name badge?

yes

Day-time phone:(Required)

Best Time to Call:(Required)

Evening Phone:(Required)

Best Time to Call:(Required)

Email address:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Emergency Contact Information

Emergency phone number provided must be different than number provided in applicant's contact information.

Name of your emergency contact:(Required)

First Last

Relation to you (spouse, sister, child, etc):(Required)

Phone number of emergency contact:(Required)

Training Participation Expectations

Training to become an WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener volunteer includes 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. WGC course 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. Trainees are expected to attend in-person sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Fridays: September 25, 2026; October 23, 2026; November 20, 2026; December 11, 2026; January 29, 2027; February 19, 2027; March 5, 2027; April 16, 2027; and May 14, 2027.

Can you commit to completing the Washington Gardeners Certificate and attending the Local Volunteer Training dates?(Required)

Please review the training dates listed on our website before answering this question.

Yes

If no, please explain.(Required)

If you do not have any concerns, type N/A in the box.

Applicant Availability, Experience, and Skills/Interests

Select the geographical area(s) in which you would be willing to volunteer (check all that apply):(Required)

Lacey

Tumwater

Olympia

Rochester/Littlerock

Tenino

Yelm

No Preference

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

What are you most excited to learn about?(Required)

Please check all that apply

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

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

The skills you are willing to share with us is just as important as prior gardening experience. We need people with all types of experience to help further our program goals.

If needed, please provide specific information on the above selected categories:

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

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?(Required)

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

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

Yes

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

Photo/Video Release

I understand, unless noted below, WSU Extension may use photos, video, or 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

Volunteer Expectations & Agreement

Thank you for your interest in the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program. The agreements and policies, clarify the scope and expectations of our Program. WSU Thurston County Extension invest in volunteers and in return volunteers invest in WSU Thurston County Extension and in local communities. It is important to clearly define expectations so current and interested volunteers have the information they need to determine if being a WSU volunteer is a good fit. WSU Thurston County Extension values the time and talents of volunteers and commits to doing our best to make the volunteer experience productive and rewarding.

Before completing your application, please go to the WSU Master Gardener Program Volunteer Expectations and Agreement website and read the expectations. The Volunteer Expectations & Agreement is at https://bit.ly/EMGagreement.

By signing and submitting this application I agree to the Volunteer Expectations & Agreement at https://bit.ly/EMGagreement

Personal References

List 2 non-family member references 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 complete emails and phone numbers.

Reference #1 - Name(Required)

First Last

Reference #1 - Relationship to you:(Required)

Reference #1 - Home Phone(Required)

Reference #1 - Work Phone(Required)

Reference #1 - Email address:(Required)

Reference #2 - Name:(Required)

First Last

Reference #2 - Relationship to you:(Required)

Reference #2 - Home Phone(Required)

Reference #2 - WorkPhone(Required)

Reference #2 - Email address:(Required)

I authorize Washington State University Extension to contact the listed references. I understand that a criminal background is required prior to being fully accepted as a volunteer in the program. I acknowledge 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.

Applicant Signature(Required)

Type in your name.

Today's Date(Required)

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Cori Carlton at cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us at least two (2) weeks prior to the event or application deadline.