Click on the “+” to expand the section to learn more about our Events and Outreach.
- Outreach and Community Events
Our programs will be tabling at the following Thurston County Farmers Markets and Community Events in 2026. Bring your gardening, composting, and recycling questions.
Saturday March 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thurston Conservation District Plant Festival, Thurston County Fairgrounds
- WSU Thurston County Master Gardener volunteers will be educating on how to plant your new native plants at our Plant Demo Booth. We will be available to help answer your gardening questions and can connect you to other research-based and reliable gardening and composting resources.
Saturday March 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Lacey Cultural Celebration, find us in the Worthington Center of the Pavilion at St. Martin’s University (FREE!)
- WSU Master Gardener volunteers and Master Recycler Composter volunteers will be available to help answer your gardening, composting, recycling, and waste reduction questions. There will be fun activities and educational activities at our booths for adults and kids.
Friday March 27, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., A Garden Trinity: Soil Pollinators and Plants Workshop, REI @ Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd SW Ste 410, Olympia, WA 98502 (FREE!)
Saturday March 28 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Sunday March 29 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Ask Your Local Experts, Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 98502
- Bring your gardening, composting, recycling and waste reduction questions! WSU Master Gardener, Master Recycler Composter, and Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County volunteers will be available to help answer your gardening, composting, recycling, and waste reduction questions. There will be fun activities and educational activities at our booths for adults and kids.
Saturday April 11, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fuchsia Saturday at Lacey Fred Meyer, 700 Sleater Kinney Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98503
- WSU Master Gardener volunteers and Master Recycler Composter volunteers will be available to help answer your gardening, composting, recycling, and waste reduction questions. WSU Master Gardener volunteers will also be potting plants for customers participating in the Fuchsia Saturday event.
Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nisqually Spring Expo at Yelm Middle School, 401 Coates Ave NW, Yelm, WA 98597
- WSU Master Gardener volunteers and Master Recycler Composter volunteers will be available to help answer your gardening, composting, recycling, and waste reduction questions. There will be fun activities and educational activities at our booths for adults and kids.
More events will be posted here as they are confirmed. Stay tuned!
MG and MRC Volunteers at Thurston Conservation District Sale
Outreach booth at Olympia Farmers Market 
Outreach booth at the Capital Mall
- Gardening and Composting Workshops
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Free Composting Workshops
For more information visit the Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Composting Workshops webpage
NOTE: Provided seating is limited for workshops hosted at Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden. To guarantee a seat, please bring your own folding chair.
Free Gardening Workshops
Check out free gardening workshops in the Demonstration Garden Events tab. These gardening workshops take place at one of our 3 demonstration gardens in Thurston County.
- Demonstration Garden Events
Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for more information about the three Demonstration Gardens in Thurston County.
Directions to Demonstration Gardens – Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for directions and further details about the gardens.
2026 events coming soon!
Free events at Closed Loop Park
Open to all. No advance registration required, just show up.
All workshops lead by WSU Master Gardener and Thurston County Master Recycler Composter volunteers unless noted in the event listing.
Events at Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
Directions to Demonstration Gardens – Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for directions and further details about the gardens.
Children’s Garden @ Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
More information on the Children’s Garden page.
Dirt Works Open Gardens
Open Gardens are a time to take a stroll in beautiful surroundings, chat with WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composting volunteers, and learn more about gardening and composting. View the schedule of open gardens at Dirt Works.
Directions to the Demonstration Gardens are provided on the Demonstration Garden webpage.
Events at Olympia Farmers Market Demonstration Garden
The Olympia Farmers Market Demonstration Garden is open to the public every day of the year.
Directions to Demonstration Gardens – Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for directions and further details about the gardens.
Entrance at Closed Loop Park 
Gazebo and peonies at Closed Loop Park 
MG volunteers planting vegetables at Dirt Works 
slug on zucchini 
zucchini leaf 
Dirt Works entrance 
Compost bins at Dirt Works 
Bench and daisies at Olympia Farmers Market Garden
- Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County Events
Please visit the MGFTC website for the most up-to-date information about their events, including the Plant Sale Nursery and Fall Fundraiser.
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 event.