How to Become a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener
If you are a resident of Mille Lacs County, we would love to have you join us! To become a Master Gardener, you will need to follow these steps:
Be selected by your local county program for a Master Gardener internship
2. Face-to-face at the St. Paul campus (even years) or U of M Landscape Arboretum (odd years).
Be selected by your local county program for a Master Gardener internship
- Contact Sandra Bronson ([email protected])) or Diane Hamann ([email protected])
to request an application.
- Complete and submit the application. Applications are due by October 2.
- Be selected for an interview
- Submit and pass a background check (online).
- Receive notification that background check has cleared, then register for the core course and pay class fee of $320 (includes $290 course and $30 background check fee).
- Registration is due by December 1.
- Complete the Extension Master Gardener core course (two options
2. Face-to-face at the St. Paul campus (even years) or U of M Landscape Arboretum (odd years).
- Share your knowledge by volunteering 50 hours first year; 25 hours and your county's required continuing education hours each following year.
- Volunteer on projects and events that deliver horticulture education and information to the public. You volunteer along side experienced Master Gardeners.
- Individuals who drop out of the internship before fulfilling the educational and volunteering requirements will be required to pay an additional $300.