The Extension Master Gardener program was established in Missouri in 1983 and provides in-depth horticultural training for Missourians who wish to share their knowledge of gardening. The mission of the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener program is to support MU Extension by providing trained volunteers to assist in public horticulture education.
This course prepares Extension Master Gardeners in topics related to soils, plant nutrition, vegetables, fruits, ornamental woody plants, herbaceous plants, plant propagation, disease and insect control, lawn care, residential landscape, environmental stewardship, and safe use of pest management strategies.
Extension Master Gardener volunteers assist MU Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate, answer frequently asked gardening questions, teach through demonstration gardens, donate produce, present as speakers' bureaus, and share information.
To become trained as an Extension Master Gardener, an individual must attend a 36-hour training and provide 30 hours of volunteer service back to their community.
Syllabus is below and classes are from 9am-12pm:
- Jan 16 Program Orientation, Clifton Strengths
- Jan 23 Plants and Their Environment
- Jan 30 Plant Propagation
- Feb 6 Insects
- Feb 13 Preventing and Managing Plant Diseases
- Feb 20 Soils, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management
- Feb 27 Using Pesticides Safely in the Home and Garden
- Mar 6 Turf and Lawn Maintenance
- Mar 13 Residential Landscaping
- Mar 20 Fruit Production
- Mar 27 Natives
- Apr 3 Establishment and Care of Woody Ornamentals
- Apr 10 Herbaceous Ornamentals
- Apr 17 Vegetable Gardening, compost
- Apr 24 Program closing; garden tours; meet MGs
***registration deadline is: 1/9/25
Cost: $200
Contact: Eli Isele, elihuisele@missouri.edu, 636-970-3000
