To join the Clatsop County Master Gardener™ Association, you must become a certified Master Gardener through the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener program. Master Gardeners receive comprehensive, university-level gardening education, and serve as community garden educators. When you become a Master Gardener, you become a vital community volunteer!

OSU Extension offers Master Gardener training classes annually from January to May in Clatsop County. The 2024 class is full, but please add your email to the interest list if you would like to be notified when class registration opens. Review more information about the Master Gardener program here and contact the OSU Master Gardener Program Coordinator for Clatsop County, Shannon Rauter, with any questions.

Classroom training (40 hours) is combined with 40 hours of required volunteer time (during the first year) working with experienced MG's in the field. Trainees will graduate and become certified Master Gardeners with an exceptional knowledge base for gardening in our challenging coastal climate. To remain a certified Master Gardener, there are annual continuing education (10 hours) and volunteer (20 hours) requirements. More information can be found in the Guide to Being a Master Gardener Volunteer.

While OSU Extension is responsible for volunteer certification and recertification, volunteers are encouraged to join the Clatsop County Master Gardener Association and volunteer with garden projects, horticulture-related community outreach, plant clinics, and events. Successful gardening is a lifelong educational process. When you join CCMGA, you join a network of gardening enthusiasts who enjoy working together as liaisons between OSU Extension and the home gardeners of Clatsop County.

Interested in the education, but aren't ready to volunteer? Scroll down on this page to find out about other OSU Extension educational opportunities, and sign up for the CCMGA mailing list to hear about public educational events.

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