Are you a lifelong learner who enjoys gardening? Want to experience the power of sharing sustainable gardening knowledge with your community? Then the Master Gardener program may be just the thing for you! Applications to join the program are now being accepted until October 14th, 2024.

The WSU Clallam County Master Gardener program invests in creating leaders to serve the needs of their community. Master Gardeners become ambassadors to assist WSU Clallam County Extension in providing accurate and environmentally sustainable horticultural advice and tools to support a healthy community.

To become a Master Gardener, students attend an 11-week training session that includes Washington State University research–based courses in botany, soil science, pruning, growing ornamentals and vegetables, fruit and berries and other elements of sustainable home horticulture. The training session begins on January 13th, 2025. Online training, field trips, labs and classroom participation are all part of the student experience. After completion of classes, Master Gardener Interns complete 100 hours of approved volunteer service through the County Extension office to earn their Master Gardener Certification. Volunteer service hours include participating in garden-related education activities, diagnosing plant problems, working in demonstration gardens, and serving on Master Gardener committees and projects. The class fee is $350, and includes reference and learning materials and other supplies. Scholarships are available. Enrollment for local tribal members is free of charge.

There will be three information sessions and applicants are encouraged to attend one of them to learn more about the program. Join us on Monday, September 23rd in Sequim at the KSQM Community Room from 1 pm to 2 pm located at 609 West Washington Street. The next session will be on Tuesday, September 24th at the Port Angeles Library’s Raymond Carver Room from 1 pm to 2 pm located at 2210 S Peabody Street. The last session will be on Wednesday, September 25th from 6 pm to 7 pm on Zoom. Please visit the Extension website, https://extension.wsu.edu/clallam/mg/training/ to access the Zoom information. The virtual session will be recorded and will be made available through our website.

The program application can be accessed online via the Extension Website at https://extension.wsu.edu/clallam/mg/training/ or a paper copy can be picked up at the Extension office located at 1914 W. 18th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98363.