Extension Master Gardener Course - Butler County - Fall

Location

Butler County MU Extension Office
614 Lindsay Ave Poplar Bluff, MO

Date

August 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM - November 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Pricing
A registration fee is required for all participants.

About

The Extension Master Gardener program was established in Missouri in 1983 and provides in-depth horticultural training for Missourians who wish to share their knowledge of gardening. The mission of the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener program is to support MU Extension by providing trained volunteers to assist in public horticulture education.

This course prepares Extension Master Gardeners in topics related to soils, plant nutrition, vegetables, fruits, ornamental woody plants, herbaceous plants, plant propagation, disease and insect control, lawn care, residential landscape, environmental stewardship, and safe use of pest management strategies.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers assist MU Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate, answer frequently asked gardening questions, teach through demonstration gardens, donate produce, present as speakers' bureaus, and share information.

To become trained as an Extension Master Gardener, an individual must attend a 30-hour training course and provide 30 hours of volunteer service back to their community.

  • Cost: $200
  • Contact Traven Crocker, Field Specialist in Horticulture Butler County, travencrocker@missouri.edu or 573-686-8064 for additional information or accommodations.

Sessions include:

  • Plants and Their Environment
  • Soils, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management
  • Plant Diseases and Disorders
  • Insects, Pollinators, and Integrated Pest Management
  • Plant Propagation
  • Vegetable Gardening
  • Fruit Gardening
  • Herbaceous Plants
  • Establishment and Care of Woody Ornamental Plants
  • Pruning Ornamental Plants
  • Turf and Lawn Maintenance
  • Residential Landscaping
  • Using Pesticides Safely in the Home and Garden

Sessions

Aug. 6, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 1: Orientation and Policies and Procedures

Aug. 13, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 2: Plants and their environment

Aug. 20, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 3: Soils

Aug. 27, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 4: Herbaceous Ornamentals

Sept. 3, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 5: Woody Ornamentals and Pruning

Sept. 10, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 6: Vegetable Gardening

Sept. 17, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 7: Home Fruit Production

Sept. 24, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 8: Plant Propagation

Oct. 1, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 9: Home Lawn Care

Oct. 8, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 10: Landscape Design

Oct. 15, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 11: Plant Diseases

Oct. 22, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 12: Insects

Oct. 29, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Week 13: Pesticide Safety and Integrated Pest Management

Nov. 5, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST Week 14: Open for Activity or Tour

Nov. 12, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST Week 15: Extra or make up day

Nov. 19, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST Week 15: Graduation Celebration and Couse Evaluation Survey