Are you curious about becoming a Master Gardener in Routt County? The Colorado State Extension Master Gardener program is a unique intersection between university horticulture expertise and community volunteers interested in educating locally.

First, submit an application. This is done online and must be done in one sitting. It usually takes 20-30 minutes and should have a couple references included. CSU requires all volunteers to have background checks.  

Once accepted, $200 will be charged for the training, although scholarships are available. Training includes self-paced online classes and live weekly review sessions with subject matter experts from CSU. Combined with optional in-person activities and hands-on labs, flexibility exists to learn at home and practice with other volunteers.

Courses are specific to Colorado’s climate, soil, environment, insects, wildlife and plants. The classes begin in November and conclude in April.

The next step is passing a test that requires 70 percent correct answers and is open book.

After passing the test, participants are required to volunteer for 50 hours. There are all kinds of ways to volunteer: Answering phone calls and emails through a Master Gardener Helpdesk, helping teach gardening classes, writing newspaper and website articles and supporting local gardening endeavors including the Yampa River Botanic Park.

After the first year of service, the volunteer commitment goes down to 24 hours per year. 

Local CSU Extension Director/Agriculture Agent Todd Hagenbuch explained that one misconception about the Master Gardener program is that the primary form of volunteer service Master Gardeners perform is manual labor in gardens.

“The truth is that the main role and purpose of Master Gardeners is to educate local residents about best gardening practices based on research. Master Gardeners are deputized by Colorado State University (which runs the statewide Master Gardener program) to spread gardening education,” Hagenbuch said. 

People become Master Gardeners for all sorts of reasons, such as Sandi Molen, one of this year’s Master Gardener apprentices.

“My husband and I were looking for a meaningful activity to enjoy together as a couple, and gardening is a passion we both share,” Molen said. “We wanted to give back to the community, deepen our knowledge of horticulture and sustainable gardening and help others with the same gardening challenges we face in our own garden.”

For detailed information about the application process, visit Cmg.Extension.ColoState.edu/about/become-a-colorado-master-gardener-2/colorado-master-gardener-program-application-information/.  

For more information about the Routt County Master Gardener program, contact Todd Hagenbuch at thagenbuch@co.routt.co.us

Gwen Swenson-Hale is a Master Gardener from the 2021 class.