Santa Fe Extension Master Gardener Program Application

Full Name*

Preferred Name

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip CodeCountry

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Email*

example@example.com

Age (Must be 18 or older to apply)*

Track 1: Santa Fe Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (NMSU online modules + weekly live Q&A + in-person sessions, certification, 20+ volunteer hours in intern year and 30+ hours annually thereafter required; competitive acceptance)

Track 2: Santa Fe Gardener Certificate (NMSU online modules + optional live Q&A, certificate upon completion, no volunteer commitment; open enrollment where available)

Track Selection*

Program Fees

Track 1 (Volunteer path): $250
Track 2 (Certificate only): $350

(Fees cover access to NMSU online modules, materials, and administration; scholarships may be available—contact SFEMG to inquire.) SFEMG program dues for Master Gardeners are $35/year after the intern year.

Refund Policy A 75% refund is available if requested after the start of the first week of NMSU online classes but before the end of that week. No refunds will be issued after that date. A refund check will be issued in the name of the registrant and sent to the address as indicated on the registration application.

Important Note on Online Training (Applies to Both Tracks)

Both tracks provide the same NMSU research-based education on topics critical to Santa Fe: drought tolerance, soil health in arid conditions, native plants, and efficient water use. No prior expertise needed, just enthusiasm for gardening!

15 structured asynchronous modules (early January to mid-April)
Modules open weekly (typically Saturday at 12:00 am)
You must complete pre-quiz (non-graded), videos/materials, and post-quiz (70%+ pass, up to 3 attempts) by the weekly deadline (typically Sunday 11:59 pm) to advance
Expect ~5–6 hours/week commitment
Weekly live Q&A sessions via Zoom (required/encouraged for Track 1; optional for Track 2)
No true self-pacing, weekly deadlines apply; past modules can be reviewed anytime

Technical Requirements

Participants must have access to reliable, unlimited high-speed internet and use a compatible browser like Chrome or Firefox.
Most modules have closed captioning (CC), and work is being done on updating videos.
Classes are conducted exclusively in English. All program details and materials are shared digitally, necessitating personal internet access. Please note that online lectures are not compatible with viewing on smartphones.
Some of the functions in NMSU Canvas may not work properly in Safari or Edge; thus, NMSU Academic Technology always recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

Gardening Experience (Briefly – no expertise required)

1. Describe your gardening activities and experience (e.g., home garden, water-wise, natives)

2. Any prior training, courses, or certifications?

Motivation and Volunteer Commitment (Required for Track 1; optional for Track 2—provide brief responses with examples where possible)

3. Why this program/track? What excites you about high-desert gardening education?

4. What draws you to the volunteer aspect of Track 1, and how do you see yourself sharing gardening knowledge with the community?

5. Describe any past volunteering or community service experiences. How do they prepare you for the required 20+ intern-year hours and 30+ annual hours?

6. Why choose Track 1 (Volunteer) over Track 2 (Certificate)? What specific community contributions do you hope to make?

7. How will you apply the program's sustainable practices (e.g., water-wise plants, natives) to benefit others in Santa Fe, beyond your own projects?

8. What excites you about collaborating with Master Gardeners on local projects like demo gardens or workshops? Include your availability for training/volunteering (e.g., weekend mornings/afternoons) if applying for Track 1.

Additional

9. Any accommodations needed (e.g., for online access, scheduling, or physical considerations)?

Agreement I certify information is accurate. I understand:

Please read the following Applicant Agreement. If you agree, please click "yes", select your Track, and click SUBMIT.

Track requirements, including the structured weekly NMSU Canvas format with fixed deadlines (~5–6 hours/week).
Full attendance required for every in-person session (Track 1) and all online modules/exams (both tracks), each provides essential information.
Program fees and refund policy as stated above.
Scholarships may be available.

MASTER GARDENER APPLICANT AGREEMENT:

I wish to complete the online courses in Santa Fe County and request acceptance into the Santa Fe Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program (Track I) or Santa Fe Gardener Certificate Program (Track II) offered by the Santa Fe County Extension Service.

I understand that by submitting this Application, I agree to meet the online class requirements and pass all assigned quizzes, and, for Track I only, the Volunteer requirements.

I have read and understand all the information in this Application. I agree to the terms of this Application and verify that all the information I have provided is accurate.

Do you agree to the Applicant Agreement?*

Date*

Date

Submit to: SFEMG Intern Program Coordinator during open period (typically October application opening). Questions: (505) 471-4711.

Thank you for your interest in sustainable gardening education in Santa Fe! Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners: Advancing sustainable gardening through research-based education—whether for personal enrichment or community service.