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Become a Master Gardener

WSU Yakima County Master Gardeners learn and share our expertise with our community. Master Gardeners welcome YOU!

Who We Are…

In Yakima County in 2023 we have 75 certified veteran Master Gardeners, 12 Interns and 33 Emeritus for 120 total members.

Master Gardeners were able to pursue many activities to fulfill our mission of education our communities regarding WSU approved horticultural practices. Our clinic venues answered questions and helped solve gardening problems for home gardeners at our WSU Extension clinic, Farmer’s Market and Central WA State Fair.

Our Demonstration garden at Ahtanum Youth Park and our Heirloom garden are both teaching gardens where classes are normally held during the spring, summer and fall. Our Food Garden in the West Valley finished its first year in 2022, donating nearly 3,000 pounds of fresh produce to the Highland Food Bank.

Our speakers bureau team has spoke to many groups throughout the year and our writers guild researches and submits gardening articles for both the Sunday Yakima Herald and monthly Yakima Magazine.

Our Youth programs, both in schools and at community events, reach hundreds of youngsters with garden related learning activities.

Our Greenhouse allows us to propagate plants from seed or cuttings to be sold at our annual plant sale to the public in order to raise income to support our Yakima MG program.

In a typical year we volunteer over 15,000 hours as a group.

Your Commitment:

Training Materials

This is what you can expect as a Master Gardener trainee:  you will attend 16 live 2 hour classes, on Wednesday afternoons. In addition you enroll in an online course from WSU that covers horticulture basics. There is a fee to cover training materials and classes. It is necessary to have a computer and high speed internet connection.

You are asked to return 40 hours of volunteer time in specific areas.  Upon completion of your coursework and volunteer time you will be awarded a certificate with the title of WSU Yakima County Master Gardener.

As a veteran, there are no additional fees. Each year you are asked to give 25 hours of volunteer time and achieve at least 10 hours of continuing education in order to maintain your certification.

We’d love to have you join us!

The Master Gardener program is happy to accept your application!

Please read this Information Sheet and download this application if you are interested in joining this great group! We will begin classes in January.

Application deadline is December 6, 2023. Return your application to:

WSU Extension Master Gardeners
2403 South 18th Street,
Suite 100
Yakima, WA  98903-1637

Contact us if you have further questions.

You will enjoy professional education in:

  • Sustainable Gardening
  • Composting
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Native Plants
  • Insect Identification
  • Horticulture
  • Plant Identification
  • Landscape Choices
  • Vegetable Gardening
  • Plant Propagation
  • Lawns
  • Much, much more!

You will also enjoy:

  • A superb volunteering opportunity
  • Serving your community
  • Great camaraderie
  • Continued learning