MG Mission
The mission of the Missouri Extension Master Gardener program is “helping others learn to grow.” The Master Gardener program provides in-depth horticultural training to individuals throughout Missouri who then volunteer their time applying what they have learned to help others in their communities to learn about gardening and environmental education.
The Extension Master Gardener program promotes and raises public awareness of the University of Missouri Extension as a source of unbiased, research-based gardening information. Through activities such as MU Extension hotlines or answer services, workshops, speaker’s bureaus, garden show booths, and demonstration projects, Extension Master Gardeners provide gardening information to thousands of Missourians each year.
To become trained as a Master Gardener, an individual must complete a 30-hour core training course. Core training is offered both in person and online. Then the Extension Master Gardener trainee is required to give 30 hours of volunteer service back to the community in approved MU Extension activities.
Our Chapter
Missouri has more than 50 local affiliations or chapters. The Central Missouri Master Gardener chapter began in 1995 in Jefferson City, Missouri. Our local chapter include Master Gardeners in Cole, Osage, Boone, Callaway, Miller, Maries, and Moniteau counties in Missouri.
Plant Sales
Join us for our annual plant sales at our greenhouses in North Jefferson City. We offer a variety of plants including vegetables, flowers, shrubs and trees. Our beautiful flowering baskets are always ready in time for Mother’s Day.
Proceeds from plant sales help fund projects.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to students who reside in the Callaway, Cole, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, or Osage counties.
Applicants must be planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school for the fall term of the current year. Applicants are limited to those who plan to study horticulture, agriculture, conservation or forestry. Applications are accepted until the last day of February. Visit the Cole County Extension Center webpage for an application.
Projects
- Callaway Hills Garden Club
- Extension Center/Butterfly Garden
- Garden n Grow
- Greenhouse Garden
- JC Botanical Garden at Riverside Park
- McKay Park sign area
- Missouri River Regional Library
- Osage Co. Library
- Perennial Berm at River City Gardens
- River Market
Partners
MU Extension Master Gardener
The Central Missouri Master Gardeners are partners with the University of Missouri Extension. The MU Extension established the Master Gardener Program in 1983 to address gardening questions as more people became interested in home gardening. To date, nearly 10,000 Missourians have gone through Master Gardener training.
MU Extension offers programs for rural, urban, and suburban populations. Through the innovations and ideals of the University of Missouri, MU Extension improves lives, businesses and communities by focusing on solving Missouri’s grand challenges around agricultural growth and stewardship, economic opportunity, educational access, and health and well-being.
Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri solves problems and engages with communities across all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. MU faculty, staff and elected council members, who live in your community, work with you to identify local interests and issues and then offer relevant programming and resources to meet the unique needs of you and your community. Their job is to partner with communities to find solutions with credible, science-based information that will help you: Grow safe and healthy food, Build and grow profitable businesses, Improve your health and relationships, Increase agricultural production, Update professional training in business, health and safety; and Engage youth as valued, contributing citizens.
Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Foundation
JC Parks is proud to collaborate with the local Master Gardeners—a dedicated group of trained volunteers passionate about sharing their knowledge of plants, gardening, and the environment. Together, we’re laying the groundwork for future opportunities that connect the community to nature through hands-on learning. Whether it’s maintaining pollinator gardens, planting native species, or supporting seasonal park beautification, this partnership helps create vibrant, sustainable spaces that both educate and inspire. Looking ahead, JC Parks and the JC Parks and Recreation Foundation are exploring new ways to grow this partnership through educational programming, botanical garden development,and community workshops. These efforts reflect a shared vision to cultivate curiosity,environmental awareness, and community pride. As we expand our offerings, we invite others to get involved—volunteer, donate, or participate in programs that help our community learn to grow, together. Click to learn more and support our work.