​​Alaska Master Gardeners are credentialed by the UAF Cooperative Extension Service and are located in communities throughout the state. The prerequisites for becoming a master gardener include familiarity with Alaska gardening conditions and a commitment to 40 hours of volunteer time.

The training provides a broad horticultural background and includes the topics of botany, soils, vegetable production using organic and conventional techniques, integrated pest management, greenhouses, lawns, houseplants, trees/shrubs, flowers and invasive plants.

How to become a Master Gardener

You don’t need to know everything about gardening to become a Master Gardener — you’ll continue to learn the more you participate in the program. You do need to be committed to lifelong learning and community service, as these are the cornerstones of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service Alaska Master Gardener Program.

The purpose of the Alaska Master Gardener Program

“To support a network of individuals dedicated to horticulture education, service and lifelong learning. Through university research-based horticulture training, they are equipped to address needs and opportunities in their community and throughout the state.”

Get started and take the Alaska Master Gardener course

To be a successful Alaska Master Gardener, you need foundational knowledge about growing and caring for plants in Alaska. Extension offers a comprehensive gardening course to prepare individuals for the Alaska Master Gardener Program.

The Alaska Master Gardener Course typically occurs between fall and spring. Registration opens during the fall. This approved learning opportunity is led by UAF Cooperative Extension Service instructors and subject matter experts. It focuses on objectives and topics covered in the Alaska Master Gardener comprehensive knowledge exam. To be eligible to become an Alaska Master Gardener Trainee and enter the Alaska Master Gardener onboarding process, participants must pass the comprehensive knowledge exam taken at the end of the Alaska Master Gardener course, which requires a score of 70% or better.

Complete the Alaska Master Gardener onboarding process

The Alaska Master Gardener Onboarding process introduces you to the requirements of the UAF Cooperative Extension Service Alaska Master Gardener Program. To participate in the onboarding process, participants must pass the Master Gardener comprehensive knowledge exam taken at the end of the Master Gardener course, which requires a score of 70% or better.

As a Master Gardener you apply your knowledge and skills educating others and conducting horticulture-related volunteer activities at local organizations. Volunteer service and continuing education are required to be completed and reported each year. After passing the Master Gardener comprehensive knowledge exam, trainees must complete 40 hours of volunteer service within 12 months to become a certified Alaska Master Gardener (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Flowchart illustrating the process for trainees to become credentialed Alaska Master Gardeners during their first 12 months of service.

After becoming credentialed, certified Alaska Master Gardeners must complete an additional 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of professional development and continuing education each year to maintain their certification (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Flowchart illustrating the annual process for Alaska Master Gardeners to maintain their credentials each year.

Your involvement will lead to an increase in knowledge and skill in yourself and those you reach. You will use your knowledge of plants to improve the lives of others and the community you live in. This, ultimately, will lead to a bigger change in the world around us.

Transferring from another state?

If you are a Master Gardener who has relocated to Alaska from another state, or if you are rejoining the program after a period of inactivity, contact (camatney@alaska.edu) to learn your specific program requirements.

Download index for 2025 Alaska's Sustainable Gardening Handbook

2025 Alaska's Sustainable Gardening Handbook Index

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Online master gardener course open for registration

Registration is open for a new Alaska master gardener course, which will be taught over Zoom. 

Casey Matney and Darren Snyder, agriculture and horticulture agents with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, will lead the course. It provides a broad horticultural background and includes Alaska-specific lessons on botany, soils, vegetable production using organic and conventional techniques, integrated pest management, greenhouses, lawns, houseplants, trees and shrubs, flowers and invasive plants. 

​​Alaska master gardeners are credentialed by the UAF Cooperative Extension Service and are located in communities throughout the state. The prerequisites for becoming a master gardener include familiarity with Alaska gardening conditions and a commitment to 40 hours of volunteer time.

Classes will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. from Dec. 2 to Feb. 27, 2026, with a break for the holidays. Registrants will receive a recording of each class. Register at https://bit.ly/OnlineMasterGarden.

The cost is $250, which includes a copy of Alaska’s Sustainable Gardening Handbook. 

For more information, contact Casey Matney, camatney@alaska.edu, 907-262-3443.

Volunteering Responsibilities

Master gardeners are required to volunteer 40 hours. Your instructor will provide directions for your volunteer work. Master gardener volunteers work independently and may become involved in beautification projects. Examples of volunteer activities include the following:

• Teaching garden classes
• Working with youth and adult groups, such as horticulture therapy groups, community gardeners, and 4-H clubs
• Staffing garden clinics and displays
• Answering phone inquires on horticultural topics
• Developing demonstration gardens

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Contacts by Region

Master Gardener Associations

Alaska Master Gardeners Association-Anchorage

Mat-Su Master Gardeners Organization

Master Gardeners of the Tanana Valley

Southeast Alaska Master Gardener Association