Using Gardening to Make a Difference
Volunteers are important to Extension. They help reach into communities and address the needs that matter most to people. Master Gardener Volunteers specifically focus on the topic of gardening. They help answer gardening questions, help people grow food, battle invasive plants and protect pollinators, and get people– of all ages and abilities– active in the garden! You’ll get to help fulfill the Extension mission in your area of the state using gardening and education. If you want to make a difference in your community and also want to learn more about gardening, think about joining our team.
Level 1 training is a blended classroom of in-class lecture, discussion, and activities; plus out of class reading and video lectures. Topics covered include an introduction to the plant sciences, soils, and integrated pest management. Participants should be able to answer most gardening questions using the appropriate resources at the end of the training.
In addition to training, requirements include:
- Completing and reporting a minimum of 24 hours of volunteerism on locally approved projects
- Passing a required criminal background check
- Completing UW-Extension’s mandated reporter training of child abuse and neglect
- And signing the UW-Extension volunteer agreement form
Watch an Orientation to the Master Gardener Program
Winter/Spring 2020
County | Contact | Phone Number | Class Starts |
Registration Deadline |
Columbia | George Koepp | 608-742-9682 | February 4, 2020 | January 10, 2020 |
Crawford | Karen Snitker | 608-326-0223 | February 4, 2020 | January 2, 2020 |
Dane | Lisa Johnson | 608-224-3715 | February 26, 2020 | February 18, 2020 |
Dodge | Laure Dei | 920-386-3790 | February 4, 2020 | January 17, 2020 |
Door | Annie Deutsch | 920-746-2260 | January 8, 2020 | open until maximum class size of 12 is reached |
Jefferson | LaVern Georgson | 920-675-7295 | March 23, 2020 | March 16, 2020 |
Eau Claire | Margaret Murphy | 715-726-7957 | March 28, 2020 | March 20, 2020 |
Grant | Amanda Cauffman | 608-723-2125 | January 6, 2020 | December 10, 2019 |
Green | Jackie McCarville | 608-328-9440 | January 14, 2020 | December 18, 2019 |
Juneau | Alana Voss | 608-847-9329 | February 3, 2020 | |
Oneida | Merry Lehner | 715-365-2753 | January 23, 2020 | January 30, 2020 |
Ozaukee | Stephanie Plaster | 262-284-8288 | March 10, 2020 | January 5, 2020 |
Portage | Ken Schroeder | 715-346-1316 | January 28, 2020 | January 14, 2020 |
Shawano | Kara Skarlupka | 715-526-6136 | January 14, 2020 | January 2, 2020 |
Walworth | Julie Hill | 262-741-4958 | February 6, 2020 | January 15, 2020 |
Wood | Janell Wehr | 715-421-8440 | January 13, 2020 | Dec 30, 2019 |
Summer/Fall 2020 (coming soon)
County | Contact | Phone Number | Class Starts |
Registration Deadline |