Join Us!
Do you like to grow plants, help people, and support your community?
Become a Certified Master Gardener!
Why be a Laramie County Master Gardener?
Gardening fosters an environment for lifelong learning, and growing your own vegetables, herbs, or flowers promotes physical and mental health--it can improve quality of life, promote a sense of accomplishment, and support community connections. Laramie County Master Gardeners learn regionally appropriate, research-based techniques from the University of Wyoming (UW) Laramie County Extension and share this knowledge and experience with the public as volunteer educators. We have a shared passion for learning and helping others become better gardeners.
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Laramie County Master Gardeners (LCMG) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), open to Certified Master Gardeners interested in learning and sharing their gardening knowledge through community outreach within Laramie County, Wyoming. Our objectives include providing adult and youth education programs and materials; promoting civic beautification within Laramie County landscapes; providing continual learning opportunities for volunteer's personal horticultural growth and leadership; and assisting the UW Laramie County Extension Office in fulfillment of its horticulture mission in Laramie County, Wyoming. We share our knowledge and experience a variety of ways including classes and workshops, digital and print media, and support for demonstration and community gardens.
How to Join LCMG
Enrollment in the UW Laramie County Extension Master Gardener Program automatically confers LCMG Membership. We also welcome transfers from the online UW Extension course, or Certified Master Gardeners from other counties or states as accepted by the UW Laramie County Extension Horticulture Educator. If you want to transfer from another state or county, please contact the UW Laramie County Extension Office (307-633-4383 for Office Admin) to complete your transfer to Laramie County, Wyoming. There is no LCMG Membership Fee. Please refer to Section III of our LCMG Bylaws for more information on LCMG Membership Criteria and associated privileges.
How to Become a Master Gardener
1
APPLY TO THE PROGRAM
Reach out to the UW Laramie County Extension Office (307-633-4383) to learn about upcoming training opportunities and complete an application for the UW Extension Master Gardener Course. This is an in-person course, held in Spring at the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) Campus.
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COMPLETE THE TRAINING COURSE
Attend the in-person UW Laramie County Extension Master Gardener training, which includes 40+ hours of instruction on topics like soil science, plant care, pest management, and sustainable practices. Enrollment in the training automatically provides LCMG Membership.
3
PASS THE FINAL ASSESSMENT
Demonstrate your understanding of course material through a final exam or equivalent evaluation.
4
FULFILL VOLUNTEER HOURS
Complete a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service in your community, using what you've learned to assist others and support outreach. The LCMG hosts regular meetings and events at which you can earn your service hours. Check out our Events Calendar.
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EARN YOUR CERTIFICATION
Once training and volunteer requirements are met, you'll be certified as a UW Extension Master Gardener and are considered an Active LCMG Member with annual recertification. Our certification ceremony is typically occurs in October at the LCMG Annual Meeting.
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STAY INVOLVED
Maintain your LCMG Active Members status through annual volunteer reporting and continuing education to stay current with best practices.
About the UW Extension (UWE) Master Gardener Program
The UWE Master Gardener Program is a community outreach initiative that trains gardening enthusiasts eager to expand their knowledge about growing plants and sharing their insights with others. This program offers research-based horticultural education covering topics like Basic Botany, Soils, Composting, Plant Pathology (plant diseases), and more. Upon course completion, participants earn the title "Master Gardener Apprentice" and participate in the program under the supervision of the UW Laramie County Extension Horticulturist and the LCMG. To become a Certified (Active) Master Gardener, participants initially complete 40 hours of volunteer service within a year of completing the UW Laramie County Extension Master Gardener Course. To maintain Active status, volunteers annually complete at least 20 hours of volunteer service & 10 hours of continuing education. Master Gardeners track their hours using the UWE Online Volunteer Reporting System, with hours reported to county commissioners, the Wyoming State Legislature, and the USDA's National Institute of Food & Agriculture (NIFA) for local & federal funding purposes.
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The UW Laramie County Extension offers the UWE Master Gardener Program annually to Laramie County Residents at the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) Campus in Cheyenne, WY. The course typically runs January through March, with classes held twice a week in the evenings from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. There is a fee associated with the UW Extension Course. ​For more information & upcoming class dates, please contact the UW Laramie County Extension Office at (307) 633-4383. ​​