Volunteer with Us
Watch to explore what it means to become a K-State Extension Master Gardener volunteer.
The Extension Master Gardener Journey
Your guide to getting started and what to expect as a K-State Extension Master Gardener volunteer.
The K-State Extension Master Gardener program is offered in many counties across the state. To find a program near you, contact your local Extension office early in the spring.
Application processes and deadlines vary by county, with some programs opening applications as early as August and others closing in June or July. Enrollment may be limited. Many programs offer informational meetings before the application deadline, giving you a chance to meet local volunteers, ask questions, and decide if the program is the right fit for you.
Initial Basic Training includes approximately 40 hours of instruction covering a wide range of horticultural topics.
Sessions are led by subject matter experts from Kansas State University and K-State Extension. Basic Training takes place annually in the fall, typically September through December, over 15 weekly sessions. Training format and schedules vary by program and may be held in-person, delivered online via Zoom, or in a hybrid format.
Topics typically include:
- Annual and Perennial Flowers
- Consumer Horticulture
- Entomology
- Growing Fruit
- Landscape Maintenance
- Pesticide Use and Safety
- Plant Growth and Development
- Plant Diseases
- Soils, Water and Fertility
- Turfgrass in Kansas
- Vegetable Basics
- Wildlife Management
- Woody Ornamentals
After completing Basic Training in the fall, you will begin the intern year of volunteer service in January.
During this first full year, you will complete volunteer hours roughly equivalent to your training hours, with specific requirements coordinated by your local program.
Volunteer service during your intern year is your opportunity to:
- Explore a variety of volunteer opportunities within the local program
- Discover where your interests and skills connect with community needs
- Build confidence by putting your new horticulture knowledge into practice
- Connect with fellow volunteers and become part of your local Extension Master Gardener community
After completing the required training and the intern year of volunteer service, volunteers officially earn the title of Kansas Extension Master Gardener volunteer.
From there, volunteers continue to support their communities by offering science-based horticulture education and assistance. While volunteer opportunities vary by county, all service is:
- Educational in nature
- Connected to extension programs
- Aligned with the mission of K-State Extension
Maintain Status
To remain active as a Kansas Extension Master Gardener, volunteers continue to meet annual requirements, including service hours and continuing education (also called advanced training). Specific requirements are coordinated by the local program
Advanced Training
Continuing education allows volunteers to dig deeper into topics that interest them most, building specialized skills that make their service more meaningful. Opportunities range from webinars and workshops to field trips and guest speakers and are coordinated by the local program.