Become a Master Gardener!

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! 

Master Gardeners are motivated individuals using gardening to make a difference in their communities. The Master Gardener Program provides plant-related continuing education opportunities to grow their gardening know-how. Local organizations benefit from the garden-related volunteer activities and education provided by Master Gardeners. Together, we can improve lives and communities through gardening.

You DON’T need to know everything about gardening—you’ll 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. 

Learn about growing plants in a way that helps you plan for gardening success, prevent plant problems before they start, and manage issues when they happen. You’ll leave the course with a combination of practical gardening skills to try plus the knowledge of why they work.  At the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

1. Link gardening practices and biology to preventing plant problems.

• Explain how to select, grow, and maintain the health of different kinds of plants.
• Identify strategies to manage plant problems.
• Explain what Integrated Pest Management is and how it benefits you and the environment.

Master Gardeners are motivated individuals using gardening to make a difference in their communities. The Master Gardener Program provides plant-related continuing education opportunities to grow their gardening know-how. Local organizations benefit from the garden-related volunteer activities and education provided by Master Gardeners. Together, we can improve lives and communities through gardening.

You DON’T need to know everything about gardening — you’ll 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. Science and digital literacy are also recommended.

LEARN: Learn about plants and how to take care of them. Participate in an approved learning opportunity from the Wisconsin Extension Horticulture Program through either the in-person "Sowing Sucess! Evidence-based Gardening Essentials" class offered through the Marathon County Horticulture Educator Janell Wehr or through the statewide online Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening. These approved learning opportunities are led and facilitated by Extension Horticulture Educators.  

COMPLETE the Onboarding course that introduces you to the requirements of the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program. Additionally, you will complete the horticulture entrance exam, which requires a score of 70% or better. Our Onboarding course is only available January to March each year.

DO: As a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener you apply your knowledge and skills gardening at local organizations and educating others. Volunteer service and continuing education are required to be completed and reported each year.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Your involvement will lead to an increase in knowledge and skill in yourself and those your reach. You will use your knowledge of plants to improve lives of others and the community you live in. This, ultimately, will lead to a bigger change in the world around us.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE FALL 2024 MASTER GARDENER CLASS.

The first step to becoming a Master Gardener is taking the education component in the Fall. This class is offered in two formats (in-person and virtual).

Both the in-person and online/virtual classes follow the same content and curriculum. You choose what format works best for you. 

Format 1 option:

IN-PERSON CLASS in WAUSAU; Registration is closed for Fall 2024 class:

The in-person class is offered by Janell Wehr, Horticulture Educator in Wausau. This in-person format offers personal connections with the instructor and with your classmates. The registration fee is $125 (less than the virtual option) and includes the manual. 

The class, "Sowing Success! Evidence-based Gardening Essentials," is open to everyone who wants to know more about gardening. You don't have to commit to becoming a master gardener to take this class.

Go to this site for more details and to to register.   

https://marathon.extension.wisc.edu/horticulture/marathon-county-master-gardener-program/marathon-county-master-gardener-horticulture-education/

Contact Janell Wehr at 715-261-1241 or janell.wehr@wisc.edu if you have questions.

Format 2 option - VIRTUAL/ONLINE:

Registration is closed for the Virtual Option for Fall 2024:

The virtual option is offered by  Wisconsin Extension’s Statewide Master Gardener Program Office, September 8 to December 7, 2024.

The virtual format offers the option for students to learn at their own pace without the need to appear in person following a fixed class schedule. Students are willing to pay the higher registration fee.

Early Bird Fee: $299, includes electronic version of manual (PDF). Need-based scholarships available during Early Bird registration only. Early Bird registration runs July 15-August 12.

Regular Fee: $325, includes electronic version of manual (PDF). Regular registration runs August 13-29.

Add-ons: Hard-copy Manual is $33. Labs are $40.

For more info and to enroll, go to

https://mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/being-a-master-gardener/

The second step to becoming a Master Gardener is offered beginning January 2025:

If you choose to continue on to become a Master Gardener, the second step is to complete the online Onboarding (January-March 2025) which introduces you to the structure and requirements of the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program.  The cost is $125 (financial assistance may be available).  

Upon successful completion of both the fall class and Onboarding, you will be a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener. 

When you become a Master Gardener, you may wish to join the North Central Wisconsin Master Gardener Association, Inc. so that you can continue to learn from other Master Gardeners and to start volunteering in our community. Email us at ncwmga@gmail.com to let us know your intent to become a member. The benefits of joining an association is: 1) continued sharing of learning, 2) offers many local opportunities for volunteering and education, 3) camaraderie and connections with fellow Master Gardeners, 4) attend gardening events with gardeners with common interests, and 5) social activities and fun.  When you join the NCWMGA, we will assign a mentor who will introduce you to the other members, keep you apprised of association activities, answer your questions and concerns, and will help you every step of the way!

"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."

"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."