Become a Master Gardener!

Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned grower, there’s a place for you in the Master Gardener Program. 

Contact us to learn more about becoming a Master Gardener.

It is a 2-step process.*

1. Take the Horticulture education class in the fall.

2. Take Onboarding (to learn about the UW and Master Gardener Program) in the spring. 

These approved learning opportunities are led and facilitated by Extension Horticulture Educators. 

After passing the exam, you will be a certified Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener!  

Join the North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association (NCWMGA) organization and continue to learn with us and start volunteering at fun projects in our community.

*Scholarships and registration fee reimbursement may be available.

More information on the Fall class will be available this summer.  

The Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program offers hands-on, science-based education to help you grow your gardening knowledge. In turn, you’ll give back by volunteering with local organizations—sharing what you’ve learned and helping others connect with plants.

1. Learn from other Master Gardeners

2. Countless educational opportunities

3. Volunteer in our community

4. Attend gardening events

5. Share common interests with other gardeners.

6. Attend social events with other gardeners

7. Have fun! 

You DO NOT need to know everything about gardening—you will learn more and more as you participate in the program. 

You DO need to have an interest in learning and giving back to your community. 

Together, we can improve lives and communities through gardening.

Apply what you’ve learned by volunteering at specific projects and community organizations. You’ll share your knowledge, work on garden-based projects, and support educational outreach.

Master Gardeners are passionate, curious individuals who use gardening to make a meaningful impact in the places they live. You don’t need to be a gardening expert—just eager to learn and ready to help others.

Your efforts will help others learn, grow, and connect with nature. You’ll build new skills, expand your impact, and contribute to healthier, more vibrant communities.

Local organizations benefit from the garden-related volunteer activities and education provided by Master Gardeners. 

"I like being a master gardener, no question about it! Here are 6 N-words (all nice) that give some of my reasons:

 Nature – enjoyment of being outdoors and getting one’s exercise working and watching plants grow.

 Notes of music – from the bees, birds, small critters, and wings of butterflies enjoyed while in the garden.

 Nurture – from the people who are involved as master gardeners. Many come from medical, teaching, and other caring/serving-related occupations. A person’s spirit is lifted working and talking with kindred spirits on gardening and shared

gardening projects.

 Neighborhood improvements – Master Gardener projects that enhance our community with grants, beauty, and welfare.

 Nourishment – personal benefits from eating the healthy fruits of one’s labor, knowing how it was grown (without unknown poisons).

 kNowledge (what we say, matters, and we say this one with an “N”) – increased understanding of amazing design of plants, learned from research-based University and field-tested experiences and educators and not from mere guessing."

"I highly recommend this program. Our mission is to educate on best horticultural practices and to volunteer throughout our community. I enjoy my friendships with our group’s members. It’s a privilege to meet community members while I volunteer at our events, project gardens and educational workshops." 

"Back in 2017, my new home construction budget was depleted. By the time the home was completed and it was time to landscape, I knew it was going to be a DIY project. The horticultural education course taught me so much about plant selection and landscaping. Along the way, I have met many members who have become friends and who share my goal of improving our community through gardening and education."

"I get to use my frugal and artistic personality to share my joy of growing plants, both for good nutrition for my family and to provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife. How fantastic to share and learn this with like-minded people and gardeners-want-to-bees! It is an ongoing fun, inventive, creative, nurturing, social and educational journey that fulfills all five of my senses."