The Iowa Master Gardener Program, along with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will launch Garden Academy in September 2025, providing high-quality gardening education in a refined format for both aspiring Iowa Master Gardeners and home gardening enthusiasts.
Garden Academy, previously known as Iowa Master Gardener training, offers a comprehensive approach to consumer horticulture education. Participants can expect:
- 10 weeks of asynchronous online instruction, featuring video lectures, reading assignments and quizzes
- A comprehensive overview of 17 horticultural topics to build a varied foundation of horticultural knowledge.
- Additional resources for deeper exploration of specific interests
- Completion of a pre- and post-test to meet course requirements
One Course, Two Tracks
Interested participants can choose between two program tracks: the Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer or the Iowa Home Gardener. Both tracks involve completing the same Garden Academy course, designed to enhance horticulture knowledge and skills. The Volunteer Track is intended for individuals who want to give back to their communities through gardening; no prior expertise is required. The Home Gardener Track is geared toward those looking to improve their personal gardening skills.
Applications for the Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer Track are open from July 14 to August 22 on the Iowa Master Gardener website, where a list of participating counties is also available. Enrollment for the Iowa Home Gardener Track begins on August 25 through the ISU Extension Store website. The training period for both tracks runs from September 2 to November 7. Additional application and completion guidelines can be found below.
Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer Track
- Submit an application and background check. Apply to be an Iowa Master Gardener volunteer and successfully complete a background check by contacting a local ISU Extension and Outreach office.
- Make a payment. Be accepted into the Iowa Master Gardener Volunteer Track and pay a one-time Garden Academy fee to the county ISU Extension and Outreach office.
- Complete training. Complete the 10-week online Garden Academy training and pass the final quiz.
- Complete orientation. Attend in-person volunteer orientation through the local county ISU Extension and Outreach office. Dates, times and duration vary by county. County Master Gardener coordinators will provide county-specific information.
- Volunteer in the community. Complete a 40-hour volunteer internship within one full calendar year. County Master Gardener coordinators will provide county-specific information and guidance throughout the application, training and internship period.
- Stay involved. After completing the volunteer internship, Iowa Master Gardener volunteers remain active members by completing 10 hours of continuing education and contributing 20 hours of volunteer service annually. Volunteer and continuing education hours should be reported online by Dec. 1 of each year.
Iowa Home Gardener Track
- Access course materials. Purchase access to the Garden Academy course through the ISU Extension Store.
- Complete training. Complete the 10-week online Garden Academy training and pass the final quiz.
- Go garden. Participants in this track will receive a certificate of completion as an Iowa Home Gardener but will not earn the title of Iowa Master Gardener.
Changes to Garden Academy are designed to clarify the Iowa Master Gardener program’s educational offerings and make high-quality gardening education more accessible to the public. Garden Academy is hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, which is dedicated to providing research-based educational resources from the university to the community.
For more information, prospective volunteers can contact their county office. General questions can be directed to mgardener@iastate.edu or 515-294-5104.
