Master Gardener

Becoming an Extension Master Gardener.. 

Welcome! We are excited you are here! The excellent training is the same but the process has changed. Effective in 2024, the training is called, "Foundations of Gardening." It's completely online and now offers a certificate for those who successfully complete the training. This is the basis for the Extension Master Gardener program.

Here's how it works:

  1. Register for and complete the "Foundations of Gardening" training
  2. Register for the Southwest Michigan onboarding in-person, one-day class
  3. Register to become an MSU Extension volunteer in Volunteer Central

The "Foundations of Gardening" training isn't county-based as it is taught online, but those who take the course will be referred to your county-specific Extension staff who will guide you through the steps to become an Extension Master Gardener trainee.

You are a trainee after taking the course, attending the onboarding, and completing the Volunteer Central (Volunteer Selection Process). After you additionally complete 40 volunteer hours in various educational projects to select from, then you have reached Extension Master Gardener status.

Learn more...

The Oakland County Office coordinates the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program for Oakland County only.

Melanie Fuhrmann

Consumer Horticulture Educator
fuhrma19@msu.edu

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).