Master Gardener

Becoming an Extension Master Gardener...

Welcome! We are excited you are here! The excellent training is the same but the process has changed. Effective in 2023, the training is called, "Foundations of Gardening." It's completely online and now offers a certificate for those who successfully complete the training. This is the basis for the Extension Master Gardener program.

The next Foundations of Gardening session is Winter 2025:

Visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/foundations-of-gardening for Winter 2025 registration information

Winter scholarship period: October 16 to November 13, 2024

Winter registration period: December 4, 2024 to January 29, 2025

Winter class start date (Practice session): February 6, 2025

Winter class end date (Unit 10): April 17, 2025

Winter class closes: May 29, 2025

Steps to become an Extension Master Gardener:

  1. Register, complete the training and pass the test of the "Foundations of Gardening" training
  2. Apply to become an MSU Extension volunteer in Volunteer Central
  3. Complete the Southwest Michigan onboarding in-person, one-day class
  4. Complete the required 40 volunteer hours in an approved project.

The "Foundations of Gardening" training isn't county-based as it is taught online, but those who take the course will be referred to your county-specific Extension staff who will guide you through the steps to become an Extension Master Gardener trainee.

You are an Extension Master Gardener trainee after taking the course, completing the Volunteer Central (Volunteer Selection Process) and attending the onboarding. After you additionally complete 40 volunteer hours in various pre-approved educational projects to select from, THEN you have reached Extension Master Gardener status.

Learn more...

The Kalamazoo County Office coordinates the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program for Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. 

Visit Southwest MI EMG Community Gardening, Southwest MI EMG Resources, News, and Events pages often for new information. The Events page will include statewide as well as local events.

For More Information, Contact: