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 30-hour training course and provide 30 hours of volunteer service back to their community.
- Cost: $200
- Coordinator, Donna Aufdenberg
- Cape Girardeau County MU Extension
- Email: aufdenbergd@missouri.edu
- Phone: 573-243-3581
Course sessions will be on Thursday evening from April 30, 2026 to July 23, 2026 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Extension Office located at 684 Jackson Trail in Jackson, MO.
