How to Become a Master Gardener in Alaska

Becoming a Master Gardener in Alaska means completing the Alaska Master Gardener Program, which is delivered through University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service (UAF/CES). The Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage (AMGA) website points to UAF/CES as the source for the program and links to an online Master Gardener course, along with Cooperative Extension sites in Anchorage, Bethel, Delta, and Fairbanks. After you complete the program, you can join AMGA — and joining AMGA does not require being a Master Gardener.

What the Alaska Master Gardener Program involves

The program is tied to university study and experimentation. AMGA's stated mission is "to promote availability of gardening information to Alaska citizens as a result of University study and experimentation." That framing tells you what the training is for: learning Alaska-specific gardening practice and then sharing it.

The AMGA site's Education section lists the Alaska Master Gardener Program, Anchorage CEU (continuing education units), and a link to an MG Course Online. It also links to UAF/CES and Fairbanks CES Publications. These are the entry points the organization itself provides for training and reference material.

Training path

1. Go to the UAF/CES Cooperative Extension resources linked from the AMGA site.
2. Enroll in the Alaska Master Gardener Program course — either through the online course link or a local Extension office (Anchorage, Bethel, Delta, or Fairbanks).
3. Complete the coursework. The site lists CEU (continuing education units) under Education, which indicates continuing education is part of the structure.
4. Fulfill the volunteer requirement that the program sets. The AMGA site describes Master Gardeners as people whose "ultimate goal of learning about gardening and sharing their knowledge with anyone interested," and it lists Volunteer Opportunities as a membership category — so volunteering is central to the role, not optional.
5. Once certified, join AMGA to connect with other Master Gardeners and take part in chapter activities.

The site does not publish the specific number of course hours or volunteer hours required, so confirm those details with UAF/CES when you enroll.

Joining AMGA (separate from certification)

You do not need to be a Master Gardener to join AMGA. The site states plainly: "being a master gardener is not a requirement to joining the AMGA."

Membership gives you access to:

• Monthly meetings — free and open to the public
• Newsletter — articles on gardening in Alaska
• Plant Sales
• Grants & Resources, including the AMGA Grant Program
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Member Portal and the Anchorage MG Google Group
• Photo Gallery and Calendar

The site currently advertises: "Join AMGA Now For the 2027 Season and Get the Rest of This Year (4 months) for Free." Use the Join / Renew Membership page to sign up.

Where to start

Practical notes

• Meetings are free and public. If you are unsure about committing, attend a monthly meeting first. The site lists upcoming meetings with hands-on activities and a volunteer appreciation celebration.
• Plant Culture Tips are Alaska-specific. The site indexes tips on roses in Anchorage, peonies, lilacs, lilies, primulas, ornamental grasses, and dahlias — useful for judging whether the program's content matches what you want to grow.
• Check the Cooperative Extension office nearest you. The site lists Anchorage, Bethel, Delta, and Fairbanks, so you can pick the one that serves your region.
• Certification and membership are two different steps. Certification comes through the UAF/CES program; AMGA membership is the Anchorage chapter you join afterward (or before, if you just want to participate).

For current course dates, fees, and hour requirements, contact UAF/CES directly — the AMGA site links to them but does not list those specifics.