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
- Contact Information
Sessions include:
- Plants and Their Environment
- Soils, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management
- Plant Diseases and Disorders
- Insects, Pollinators, and Integrated Pest Management
- Plant Propagation
- Vegetable Gardening
- Fruit Gardening
- Herbaceous Plants
- Establishment and Care of Woody Ornamental Plants
- Pruning Ornamental Plants
- Turf and Lawn Maintenance
- Residential Landscaping
This training is a “hybrid” of in-person and online training, trainees will have two options for each class. They can participate in live Zoom meetings, or come to Cole County Extension Office on Thursday mornings, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. to watch the lectures.
Dates: Thursdays, September 3 – November 12, 2026, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm via Zoom or in person, plus in-person field sessions. There will be six in-person field sessions in the training. The location and topic for field/lab sessions to be determined. All participants will meet at Cole County Extension Center (2436 Tanner Bridge Rd), Jefferson City, MO 65101 on Thursday, August 27 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm for orientation session.
