Master Gardener Logo

The Master Gardener Program was originally created by the Extension Service of Washington State in 1972. It grew out of the need to meet increased requests from urban home gardeners for horticultural information. Extension Agents became a resource for answering urban landscape and garden questions, including insect and disease control, plant culture and variety selection. The Master Gardener is a vital part of Extension's ability to provide the community with up-to-date, reliable knowledge so they can enjoy and protect the value of horticulture around their homes. 

How Does The Program Work?

To become a Core Master Gardener in Montana, participants are required to complete an 8-10 week course with 16+ hours of in-class training.  A Montana Master Gardener certification will be issued to each participant upon completion of this course with a passing final grade of 80% or better, and when 20 volunteer service hours related to educational horticulture outreach have been achieved. 

Volunteer Commitment

Community service hours in horticulture related activities, events, or programs are required by all program participants to receive their certification. Within one year of completing a course and its required exams, students must fulfill a minimum volunteer commitment of 20 hours.

Master Gardeners and Advanced Master Gardeners need to  complete the following to maintain their active status in the Extension Master Gardener Program. 

  • Annually update their volunteer management system profile 
  • Accept the code of conduct 
  • Acquire 20 or more hours of volunteer service annually 
  • Obtain at least 4 hours of continuing education per year 

Core Master Gardener Course - Spring 2025

The Yellowstone County Extension Office will be offering the Core Master Gardener Course this spring beginning March 18.
 

  • The course fee is $125 ($80 for military/veterans who provide an ID Card) and includes the Master Gardener Course Handbook. The fee can be paid online at the time of registration or by cash/check (payable to MSU Extension) mailed or delivered to 301 N 27th St #330, Billings, MT 59101.

  • Classes will be held at the MSU Extension office in Yellowstone County on Tuesday evenings beginning March 18, 2025 through May 13, 2025 from 6-8 pm.

  • A minimum of 8 participants is required to proceed with the class. Class is limited to 12.

  • The registration deadline is March 7. Course fee must be paid before the first class.

  • Register online here or you can call the Extension Office at (406)256-2828, or email Yellowstone County Horticulture Extension Agent, Anthony Sammartano at anthony.sammartano@montana.edu.

 

Online Course Information

The online course is a self-paced, self-study format with modules on Soils, Plant Science, Vegetables, Annual and Perennial Flowers, Trees and Shrubs, Landscape Design, Pruning, Turf lawns and alternatives, Small Fruit, Tree Fruit, Composting, and Integrated Pest Management. Each module contains a presentation video, class notes, study guides and handouts (if applicable).

The course includes hands-on activities to help individuals familiarize themselves with the topics discussed in the presentations, as well as quizzes that must be completed after each module has been studied. Quiz grades will be combined to create a final grade. A Montana Master Gardener certification will be issued to each participant upon completion of this course with a passing final grade of 80% or better, and when twenty volunteer service hours have been achieved. Users have one year from course completion to obtain the required volunteer hours.

  • Course registration fee ~ $70. Fees are due at the time of registration. Credit/Debit accepted. Cash and checks are not compatible with the online management system.
  • Brightspace technology fee ~ $30. The course is presented using the Brightspace Education Platform. Individuals registering for an online course will be provided with a link and instructions to access the course. Users who are new to Brightspace will be charged a technology fee of $30 by the host site upon creating a student profile. 
  • Master Gardener Handbook ~ $50. In addition to the course fee a Montana Master Gardener Handbook is required. Cost of the handbook is $50. The handbook can be ordered through MSU Extension publications at https://store.msuextension.org/Products/Montana-Master-Gardener-Handbook-EB0185__EB0185.aspx.

For more information contact Sarah Eilers, MSU Extension State Master Gardener Coordinator by calling (406) 994-2120 or email sarah.eilers1@montana.edu.