Extension Master Gardener

Help shape the future of Missouri communities

MU Extension is gathering input to better understand what matters most to Missourians — from health and jobs to education and more.

Please take 10 minutes to complete a short survey that asks a few questions about yourself and what matters most in your community. Responses will be anonymous. The data collected will directly inform MU Extension’s future programming and priorities.

Take survey

Upcoming Missouri Master Gardener course

Registration is now open for the fall online course that starts Aug. 10, 2025.

Report volunteer hours

The mission of the Missouri Extension Master Gardener program is “helping others learn to grow.” The Master Gardener program provides in-depth horticultural training to individuals throughout Missouri who then volunteer their time applying what they have learned to help others in their communities to learn about gardening and environmental education.

The Extension Master Gardener program promotes and raises public awareness of the University of Missouri Extension as a source of unbiased, research-based gardening information. Through activities such as MU Extension hotlines or answer services, workshops, speaker’s bureaus, garden show booths, and demonstration projects, Extension Master Gardeners provide gardening information to thousands of Missourians each year.

To become trained as a Master Gardener, an individual must complete a 30-hour core training course. Core training is offered both in person and online. Then the Extension Master Gardener trainee is required to give 30 hours of volunteer service back to the community in approved MU Extension activities.

Donate to the Extension Master Gardener Gift Fund

The Master Gardener program provides in-depth horticultural training to individuals throughout Missouri who then volunteer their time applying what they have learned to help others in their communities learn about gardening and environmental education. Nearly 50 Master Gardener chapters are organized across the state. Your gift helps MU Extension recruit and train new volunteers deliver programs and workshops in local communities.