How does the Master Gardener program work?
We have a passion for learning, gardening, and giving back to our communities. We’re hands-on in educational school gardens, we’re helping grow food for local communities, and we’re passionate about pollinators. Some of us are tree-huggers, most of us are plant (and insect) lovers. Most importantly, we are volunteer educators who support gardening success in Colorado.
Grow with us
Click through each step to learn how to become a Colorado State Extension Master Gardener®. You’ll see what’s involved, from applying and training to making an impact in your community.
We’re looking for volunteers interested in education and outreach using research-based horticulture information. As a Colorado State Extension Master Gardener®, you’ll be a CSU Extension volunteer giving back in your local community. Each year in August we invite all Colorado gardeners to apply online to join the Colorado Master Gardener volunteer program.
Newly accepted volunteers begin as Apprentices. This means you’re in-training to become a Colorado State Extension Master Gardener®. We provide 60 hours of core training through hybrid instruction: online, live review sessions (also recorded) and in-person labs in some locations. The Green School Full Course is also know as our Master Gardener training.
Following training, apprentices are encouraged to engage in volunteer projects coordinated through the local CSU Extension office. The volunteer commitment is 50 hours your first year after completing Green School. There is also a two-year Apprentice option that allows 60-hours to be completed over 2 years.
Colorado Master Gardener volunteers serve 46 counties across the state. Contact your local Master Gardener program for more information. You’re encouraged to connect with a program in the county where you live and apply online during the application period. The application period to apply to become a Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® Apprentice is in August each year. Most, but not all counties accept applications each year. Some counties receive more applications than they are able to accept. Applying does not guarantee admittance into the Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® program.
If you’re moving here from another state where you served as an Extension Master Gardener, we welcome you to our program but do require that you complete our application process and training. Colorado can be a tough place to garden – we think you’ll appreciate the education you receive through our Colorado-specific training.
If you’ve decided you’re interested in plant education and outreach and you’d like to volunteer in your local community then it’s time to apply! Follow these steps:
- Check with your local county to see if they are accepting applications this year.
- Read our Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® application information
- Apply online in August each year.
- Complete Background Screening. CSU Extension requires background screening for all volunteers. All applicants must pass background screening before being accepted into a Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® volunteer program.
After applying, passing a background screening, and being accepted into a Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® volunteer program in your home county, Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® Apprentices must complete CSU Extension’s Green School Full Course. Regardless of your location, all Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® volunteers receive in-depth horticulture training provided by University faculty, staff, and specialists. Training is critical to ensure that all volunteers have access to the information necessary to support our mission.
Green School offers flexible, remote and hybrid training options. This includes self-paced online classes and online review sessions with subject matter experts from CSU. Combined with optional in-person activities and hands-on labs (varies by local county programs), you’ll have the flexibility to learn at home and practice with fellow volunteers.
Courses are specific to Colorado’s climate, soil, environment, insects, wildlife, and plants. Training is a big commitment and includes reading (online, no text required), homework, quizzes, in-class activities, lectures, and a final exam.
Register for Green School: We’ll send you a registration link if accepted into the program. If you are not accepted and still want to completed Green School, we’ll send you a link for the early-bird registration rate.
Colorado State Extension Master Gardeners® support gardening success and provide home gardeners with information/education on topics including landscape plants, turfgrass, and trees as well as soils, pests, house plants, growing fruits and vegetable gardens and backyard greenhouses. Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® Volunteer’s audience is exclusively home gardeners.
Types of volunteer service can include answering phone calls and emails through a Master Gardener Helpdesk, diagnosing plant problems, teaching gardening classes, writing newspaper and website articles, and supporting demonstration gardens, community gardens and farmers markets. CSU Extension strives to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities that positively impact people and communities.
Colorado State Extension Master Gardeners® are active across the state and their impacts are impressive. We have a user-friendly reporting system so that logging hours, reporting outreach and signing up for projects is simple. We’re required to report our efforts locally and to the state annually – we want to show off the good work our volunteers are doing!
After we’ve put our outdoor gardens to bed, we start our annual renewal process for all Master Gardeners. After completing CSU’s Green School and fulfilling the CMG Apprentice volunteer commitment of 50 or 60 hours, continuing CMGs must contribute at least 24 hours of volunteer service annually and complete 12 continuing education hours (often provided by CSU in your local county or online). CMGs in good standing complete renewal forms and contribute annual dues to recommit for the upcoming volunteer year.
Application information
Applications to become a Colorado Master Gardener Volunteers are accepted once per year in August.
Before you apply
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
- If you’re accepted into a program, there are training fees your first year and dues ($25-35 in most counties) required every subsequent year.
- We do offer financial need-based scholarships at a 50% reduced rate. Details are in the application.
- Initial Colorado State Extension Master Gardener® training (called ‘Green School’) requires 80% minimum class completion, attending review sessions plus passing the final exam with 70% or better.
- Your apprentice year requires 50 hours minimum volunteer time in your county/area by the end of the program year. Your training (Green School, offered online statewide) takes place November through March. Volunteer activities kick off in March/April and you’ll engage in volunteer activities coordinated through your county CSU Extension office through October 31st.
- Our program does allow for a 2-year apprenticeship option, requiring 60 hours of volunteer service over a 2-year period and successful completion of all other requirements. This must be pre-approved by your local county staff.
About the application
- Applications are offered online only.
- Know your local county name and ensure they are accepting volunteers. If your county is not listed in the online application, then your county is not currently accepting applicants.
- CSU requires all volunteers are background checked. Information is in the application.
- The application will take ~20-30 minutes to complete and must be done in one sitting.
After you submit
- Your local county program contact will be in touch after applications close.
- Secondary screenings (interviews, reference checks) may be required locally. Volunteer interviews are used to assess commitment, strengths and interests each applicant will bring to the program.
- Acceptance into a program is at the discretion of the local county staff.
- All volunteers must pass a criminal background check. Background checks are initiated and tracked in your local county.