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Join Us
Become a Member
The North Central Wisconsin Master Gardener Association is open to anyone who loves gardening, wants to learn more, and is inspired to serve their community. We have two ways to join. No expertise is required. We learn and grow together.
Master Gardener
Becoming a Master Gardener is a 3-step process. Individuals complete the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program "Foundations in Gardening" course in the fall and the Master Gardener Onboarding training in the winter. You will then be a Certified Master Gardener and can join the North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners.
Read more below.
Associate Member
Do you love gardening and want to give back to your community, but don't have time to become a Certified Master Gardener? We have created an Associate Member option for people who want to connect, learn, and volunteer on a flexible schedule.
Read more below.
Benefits of being a member of NCWMGA
- Learn from other gardeners
- Countless educational opportunities
- Volunteer in our community
- Attend gardening events
- Share common interests with other gardeners.
- Attend social events with other gardeners
- 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, gardening, and volunteering in your community.
Together, we can improve lives and communities through gardening.
Become a Master Gardener!
Becoming a Master Gardener
Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned grower, there’s a place for you in the Master Gardener Program.
The Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program offers 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 o
Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned grower, there’s a place for you in the Master Gardener Program.
The Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program offers 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.
Becoming a NCWMGA Master Gardener is a 3-step process:
STEP 1
Take the Foundations in Gardening course offered in the fall. (2026 registration is closed, but you can join their mailing list for information on the 2027 course).
An online, complete-at-your-own-pace introductory course where you learn key concepts for selecting, growing, and maintaining plants, from trees to houseplants to vegetables (and everything in between!).
FOUNDATIONS IN GARDENING is open to everyone! This course is considered an approved learning opportunity for the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program in preparation to become a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener.
STEP 2
Following the completion of the Foundations course, take the winter ONBOARDING class to learn about the UW Extension Dept of Horticulture and the Master Gardener Program. You will receive information about this class during Step 1.
Upon successful completion of both the fall FOUNDATIONS IN GARDENING class and the winter Master Gardener ONBOARDING, you will be a certified Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener!
STEP 3
You may then wish to join the North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association (NCWMGA) organization where you will continue to learn with us and start volunteering at projects in our community.
When you join the NCWMGA, we will assign a mentor who will introduce you to other members, keep you apprised of association activities, answer your questions and address your concerns, and help you every step of the way!
Email us at ncwmga@gmail.com to let us know your intent to become a member.
Please note: Our organization will reimburse you the cost of the registration fee for the Onboarding portion (second step), and will waive your first year’s membership fee of $25.
Being a Master Gardener
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 gardenin
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.
Area organizations benefit from the garden-related volunteer activities and education provided by Master Gardeners.
Social
Social
Here we are having a blast in the 2026 Memorial Day Parade with the Master Gardener Circus Wagon. And yes, we handed out candy to the kids along the route!
We also get together for gardening-focused outings. Past activities include tours of local nurseries, a peony farm, and the NTC Agricultural Center.
Sometimes we gather to make things f
Here we are having a blast in the 2026 Memorial Day Parade with the Master Gardener Circus Wagon. And yes, we handed out candy to the kids along the route!
We also get together for gardening-focused outings. Past activities include tours of local nurseries, a peony farm, and the NTC Agricultural Center.
Sometimes we gather to make things for our own gardens like garden stepping stones or garden stakes. We have an annual social when we gather over dinner to catch up with members’ efforts in maintaining our various project gardens and our personal gardens.
Become an Associate Member
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Becoming an Associate Member
Becoming an Associate Member
Becoming an Associate Member
The Associate Member option offers a flexible, low-commitment way to participate in the organization’s activities and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. No special training is required to become an Associate Member, just a willingness to learn and participate.
Complete the NCWMGA Associate membership application. Upon approval, yo
The Associate Member option offers a flexible, low-commitment way to participate in the organization’s activities and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. No special training is required to become an Associate Member, just a willingness to learn and participate.
Complete the NCWMGA Associate membership application. Upon approval, you will be assigned a mentor to help you become familiar with NCWMGA.
Suggested minimum annual expectations for Associates: Complete 10 volunteer hours per year, participate in 2–3 activities, projects and/or events, and complete 5 continuing education hours.
Please note that the program currently has a limit of 10 Associates.
Being an Associate Member
Becoming an Associate Member
Becoming an Associate Member
Associate Members can attend events, connect with experienced gardeners, and gain access to educational opportunities throughout the year. The program is ideal for beginners, hobby gardeners, retirees, or anyone looking to build community through a shared interest in plants and the outdoors.
You always have the option to become certified by following the steps to become a Master Gardener.
What our members have to say
6 reasons I like being a Master Gardener
"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 enjoy my friendships with our group’s members
"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."
The horticultural education course taught me so much about plant selection and landscaping
"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."
It is an ongoing fun, inventive, creative, nurturing, social and educational journey
"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."
Where we've been volunteering
Children's Educational Gardening
The Hosta and Shade Garden at Monk Botanical Gardens
Children's Educational Gardening
The Children’s Educational Gardening Experience at the Wausau Library was a tremendous success, engaging many children in hands-on gardening activities and horticultural education.
Watch for pop-up events for children in your community!
Rib Mountain Wildflower Gardens
The Hosta and Shade Garden at Monk Botanical Gardens
Children's Educational Gardening
Walk through the Wildflower and Native Gardens at the top Rib Mountain State Park and see the bees, caterpillars and pollinators that are attracted to these native plants.
The Hosta and Shade Garden at Monk Botanical Gardens
The Hosta and Shade Garden at Monk Botanical Gardens
The Hosta and Shade Garden at Monk Botanical Gardens
Volunteers have recreated an acre of buckthorn and invasives to the beautifully landscaped and incredible educational Master Gardener Hosta and Shade Garden.
Garden Visions Conference
Garden Visions Conference
The Hosta and Shade Garden at Monk Botanical Gardens
Garden Visions is the region’s largest mid-winter gardening conference. In partnership with North Central Technical College, volunteers play a vital role in making the event a success by helping select speakers, vendors, and sponsors, as well as assisting with promotion and event-day activities, including registration and lunch service.
Plant Sale
Garden Visions Conference
Garden Walk
Volunteers are the heart of our annual Plant Sale. They grow, dig, divide, pot, label, price, transport, and care for thousands of plants. Volunteers also handle every aspect of event setup, sales, and cleanup, making this major fundraiser possible.
Garden Walk
Garden Visions Conference
Garden Walk
Volunteers help bring the annual Garden Walk to life by selecting featured gardens, promoting the event, and welcoming visitors on the day of the tour. They also assist with ticket sales, admissions, and plant sales, helping create an enjoyable experience while inspiring gardeners with new ideas and beautiful landscapes.