||| FROM CAITIE BLETHEN for WSU EXTENSION SAN JUAN COUNTY |||
Do you have a passion for plants and insects, a thirst for knowledge, and a commitment to serving your community? If so, becoming a San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer may be the perfect opportunity for you!
Candidates for the WSU Extension Master Gardener program come with varying levels of experience and knowledge in horticulture, but all share a strong desire to learn. By joining this program, you will dedicate yourself to serving the community as a volunteer gardening and horticulture educator.
All WSU Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) receive comprehensive horticulture training from university faculty, staff, and specialists. This training is essential to ensure that all volunteers are equipped with the information needed to support our program’s mission. The training to become an Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer consists of three main components:
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Green School Online Course: this self-paced online course spans 20 weeks, from October 5, 2025, to February 21, 2026. Participants will engage in online classes and review sessions with WSU subject matter experts. Topics covered include vegetable gardening, botany, forest health, plant disease diagnostics, landscape principles, and more.
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In-Person Training and Field Trips: trainees will participate in in-person training sessions and field trips at various locations within San Juan County led by local Extension Master Gardeners and other experts.
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Internship and Volunteer Service: upon completing their training, trainees will move on to their internship phase. As interns, trainees will volunteer alongside certified WSU Extension Master Gardeners, enhancing their knowledge and skills while gaining hands-on experience in community education and program involvement.
The application period for the upcoming training runs from June 1 to August 30. Tuition is $275. Both expert and novice gardeners are encouraged to apply. Informal orientations and Q&A sessions will be held throughout August in the county. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://extension.wsu.edu/
Contact Caitie Blethen, Master Gardener Program Coordinator at mg.sanjuancounty@wsu.edu or (360) 370-7663 with any questions.
The WSU Master Gardener Program is a nationally recognized program that trains volunteers to teach local community members to manage their gardens and landscapes in a science-based, sustainable manner; address environmental and social priorities such as water conservation and water quality protection; reduce the impact of invasive species; and increase public awareness of healthy living by growing food. Information they share is generated from research at WSU and other university systems. Everyone with an interest in gardening and volunteering is welcome and encouraged to apply for the program.
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