Prospective Master Gardeners

The NDSU Extension Master Gardener Program goes beyond ordinary and invests in creating leaders to serve the horticultural needs of their communities. Extension Master Gardeners become ambassadors to assist NDSU Extension in sharing scientifically accurate and environmentally sustainable horticultural advice. Started in 1980, the state program continues to grow and is now in over 30 North Dakota counties.

Our History

How to become a Extension Master Gardener

Step 1 (Early Fall)

The application process is open; the applicant must complete a form about their previous volunteer experiences and why they are interested in the program. We do not expect applicants to be experts in horticulture. This is why we have a 40-hour educational course!

Step 2 (Early November)

Extension Agents and the Program Director review applications and decide whom to accept into the program.

Step 3 (Mid-November)

We will email applicants as to whether they have been accepted or rejected.

Step 4 (Early December)

Course fees are due. Background checks are run through the NDSU Human Resources Dept. If an individual doesn’t pass the background check, the course fees minus the background check fee will be refunded. Background checks are required because our Extension Master Gardeners frequently work with youth. Furthermore, EMGs handle project grant funds.

Extension Master Gardener Core Course

The course normally starts in mid- to late-January and ends before Easter. In total, we have ten weeks of classes for a total of 40 hours of classes and videos per week. Students have the option of joining the live Zoom class on their computers on Friday mornings from 9 AM to noon (central time). Alternatively, students may watch the recorded class video at their own convenience. Fargo students may attend the live classroom training. In addition to the 3 hours of classes on Friday, one lecture is pre-recorded and is required viewing.

Classes are taught by NDSU faculty and Extension personnel. Short quizzes will be posted each week and a final test will be given at the end of the course. All quizzes and the final test are open note and open book. In order to pass the class, students must have a cumulative average of 80%.

 

Course topics may vary slightly from year to year. Here are the most common topics:
  • Annuals (Bedding Plants)
  • Botany Basics and Plant Physiology
  • Composting
  • Container Media
  • Entomology
  • Fertilizers and Nutrient Disorders
  • Garden Soils and Soil Tests
  • Houseplants
  • Landscape Design
  • Perennials
  • Pesticide Safety
  • Plant Diagnosis Introduction
  • Plant Pathology
  • Plant Propagation
  • Pollinator Gardens and Bee Lawns
  • Raised Garden Beds
  • Seasonal Checklist
  • Seed Starting
  • Shrub Selection
  • Shrub Pruning
  • Small Fruits and Grapes
  • The Science Behind Home Garden Remedies
  • Tomato Problems
  • Tree fruits
  • Tree Selection for North Dakota
  • Tree Planting
  • Tree Pruning
  • Turfgrass Establishment and Maintenance
  • Vegetable Cultivar Selection
  • Vegetable Growing
  • Weed Identification and Management
  • Wildlife Management

Volunteer Commitment

After completing the core course, students are considered Extension Master Gardener Interns. Interns have just under two years to complete 48 hours of volunteer service. Volunteer hours must be reported by November 15th of each year. Once the 48-hour internship is complete, the individual will be a certified as an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

Subsequently, Extension Master Gardener Volunteers maintain their active volunteer status by volunteering 20 hours each year and taking 10 hours of continuing education. Free continuing education is provided to maintain and upgrade skills.

 

Potential Volunteer Opportunities
  • Teaching children about gardening through 4H or school garden projects
  • Organizing a community vegetable garden
  • Designing and building a public pollinator teaching garden
  • Growing fresh vegetables and fruits to donate to local food pantries
  • Participating in NDSU vegetable research trials in your home garden
  • Community beautification
  • Maintaining zoo gardens
  • Teaching adults how to garden
  • Giving gardening presentations at events
  • Assisting NDSU Extension personnel in organizing horticultural workshops
  • Answering gardening questions at county fairs, home and garden shows, and farmer’s markets

Common Questions Regarding the NDSU Extension Master Gardener Program and the Pro-Horticulture Certificate

What is the difference between the Extension Master Gardener Program and the Pro-Horticulture Certificate?

The Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer service organization that beautifies communities, educates the public about horticulture, feeds the hungry, and works to conserve our natural resources. Applicants take the 40-hour core course and then agree to complete a 48-hour volunteer internship under the supervision of the County Extension Office. After the core course is completed, Extension Master Gardener interns and volunteers receive free or reduced-cost access to continuing education webinars, the biennial Extension Master Gardener conference, field trips, award ceremonies, and project grants. Tuition for the core course is discounted to reflect our commitment to educating volunteers to serve their communities.

Pro-Horticulture participants take the same core course as Extension Master Gardener applicants. Once the course is complete, there is no volunteer commitment. The Pro-Horticulture program is a good option for horticulture industry employees that are seeking to expand their knowledge. Once the core course is complete, the Pro-Horticulture participants will NOT receive access to Master Gardener continuing education webinars, the conference, field trips, award ceremonies, and project grants.

If a particular county isn’t accepting new Extension Master Gardeners, may an interested applicant submit an application to a neighboring county program?

Yes, this happens quite frequently. The applicant must then agree to volunteer in the county where they applied.

Are the classes online?

Yes, participants can take the Zoom live streamed class. Alternatively, the lectures are recorded and posted on our private website for later viewing. We understand that many of our participants work during the day.

Is there classroom training?

Participants from Fargo can be in the classroom and interact with instructors. The class originates from the NDSU campus.

Is it possible to do a mix of online and recorded training?

Yes, the course is meant to be flexible.

When is the core course offered?

The 10-week core course usually starts in mid- to late-January and ends one week before Easter. The classes are held on Friday mornings.

What are the quizzes and final exam like?

The online quizzes and final exam are open-book and open-note. An average grade of 80% is required to pass the class.

What does the Extension Master Gardener Program do with the course fees?

Unlike other states, the Extension Master Gardener Program receives no funding from the university or from NDSU Extension. We first pay speaker fees and other course expenses. The vast majority goes to offer grants to fund county Extension Master Gardener volunteer projects, to subsidize continuing education opportunities and other program expenses.

Are Extension agents allowed to take the course?

Yes, we only charge agents $35 to take the course (the cost of the manual). If you complete all the quizzes with a grade of 80%, we will report that you have passed the class to your District Director.

How many volunteer hours are required to become a Certified Extension Master Gardener?

48 volunteer hours within two the first two growing seasons

How many volunteer hours are required for annual recertification after the initial certification?

20 volunteer hours and 10 hours of continuing education.

Are there exemptions from the volunteer requirement for Master Gardeners that encounter health issues or other life problems?

Yes, we routinely grant one-year exemptions for those individuals that are facing common life challenges such as illness and the birth of new babies.

Why are background checks required?

Many Master Gardeners work with youth either in 4H or in schools. The primary purpose of the background check is to ensure the safety of children that we educate. Furthermore, Master Gardeners may occasionally handle project funds. Therefore background checks are necessary.