The main purpose of the Master Gardener (MG) program is to prepare you to be an educator and extender of horticulture education to the local community.  In exchange for the training made possible through UW-Extension, and to become a Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV), you are required to complete volunteer service after the training.

To become a certified Master Gardener Volunteer in Marquette County, you will complete the following steps:
1. Complete the Master Gardener Volunteer application form.
2. Complete the background check prior to the classroom training.
3. Complete and sign the volunteer agreement prior to the classroom training.
4. Complete a newspaper article or fact sheet on a plant related topic.
5. Complete a 15 minutes or less plant-related presentation in class.
6. Pass an open-book written examination.
7. Complete a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer service within one year of completion of the classroom training.

To remain a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer in subsequent years there are annual volunteer and continuing education commitments (24 hours service and 10 hours continuing education).

If you are accepted to the class, you will learn about the following topics:
How to find university and extension research-based information
Fruit production
Vegetable gardening
Insect and pest management
Preventing and managing plant diseases
Dealing with wildlife
Weed management
Soil
Herbaceous plants
Woody plants
and more!

You will also get to meet some great local gardeners that are passionate about what they do.  Marquette County has an active Master Gardener Association that has many projects going on throughout the year.  You will get the opportunity to help with some of these amazing projects and help give them your personal touch.

If this class is of interest to you, please hit next and sign up for class registration details to be mailed to you when they are available.  Generally in Marquette County the class runs every other year and happens during the "odd" years (no class on even years).  If there is enough interest in an even year (15 people), we would run a class in an even year.  If you have questions, please contact the class advisor at UW-Extension at 608-297-3141.