2027 Denton County Master Gardener Application

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

2027 Master Gardener Application
Denton County Master Gardener Association

The Denton County Master Gardener Association (DCMGA) is a volunteer organization dedicated to educating our community about research-based, sustainable gardening through the Texas Master Gardener Program, a program of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. As an intern, you will complete 70 hours of classroom instruction and 70 hours of volunteer service during 2027. To maintain your certification as a Texas Master Gardener, you will complete 10 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of volunteer service each year thereafter. If you enjoy learning, have a passion for gardening, want to give back to your community, and can make this commitment, we encourage you to complete the following application as thoroughly as possible.

Please answer each question in full and include details. The Selection Committee will use these responses and your interview to make its decisions. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, which is part of the Texas A&M University System, oversees the Texas Master Gardener Program and administers the training.

Applications will be accepted through October 9, 2026. Class size is limited.

Name

First NameLast Name

Prefer to be called:

Phone (Primary)

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

Phone (Secondary)

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

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code

Email

example@example.com

Directions:

Please provide complete answers to each item. Space in the class is limited, and the Selection Committee will use your responses together with the interview to make its decision. Help us get to know you and understand why you would be a strong addition to the Denton County Master Gardener Association.

* = Input required

How did you hear about the Texas Master Gardener Program?

Have you previously applied to be a Texas Master Gardener in Denton County? (This is for informational purposes only. A prior application does not guarantee acceptance.)

List the year(s) you applied.

The next three blanks will allow you the opportunity to enter and expand on your reasons for wanting to become a Denton County Master Gardener. Please enter one interest per question.

What inspired you to apply for the Denton County Master Gardener basic training program?

Item 1 (required)

If you have a secondary reason for applying, enter it here.

Item 2 (optional)

If you have a teriary reason for applying, enter it here.

Item 3 (optional)

Describe your gardening experience. (No prior experience is required.)

Have you received any gardening-related training? If yes, please describe where and what kind of training in the blank below. (None is required.)

Describe the gardening related training you received.

Please check any special interests that apply:

Do you have any special interests not listed above? If yes, please describe them.

The Master Gardener Program requires the use of computer-based applications for class and member communications. How do you rate your computer skills on a scale of 1 to 10? (1 = not confident and 10 = extremely confident)

As Master Gardeners, our mission is to educate and inspire Denton County residents through research-based horticulture, to promote eco-friendly gardens and enduring landscapes that enrich our communities. Please describe your previous or current volunteer experience (no volunteer experience is required).

Have you ever been employed in the field of gardening or horticulture?

Describe your gardening or horticulture employment.

Terms of Acceptance:

- I commit to attending the Texas Master Gardener training every Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, January 26 through April 27, 2027, for a minimum of 70 hours of classroom instruction.

- I understand the training schedule may change due to weather, instructor schedules, or health concerns. Classes will be held virtually if it becomes unsafe to continue in-person classes.

- I commit to volunteering a minimum of 70 service hours on approved projects within the 2027 calendar year.

- I commit to an in-person interview conducted by volunteers of the Denton County Master Gardener Association.

- If accepted into this program, I understand I must comply with the Texas Master Gardener Agreement (See full embedded agreement below).

- I agree to pay the 2027 cost of tuition, which is $370.00.

- I will consent to taking the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Master Volunteer Training course, which is a 3-hour online course.

- I will consent to a background check conducted by Sterling Volunteers (fee included in the Intern Tuition). The background check includes searches of government watch lists, sex offender registries, and national criminal records, with one year of monthly monitoring.

- As a Texas Master Gardener, I consent to assist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in serving the Denton County community by sharing Texas A&M AgriLife Extension approved, research-based gardening methods.

Texas Master Gardener Agreement

Signature

Date

What happens next:

Schedule Your Interview

After you submit your application, you will receive a Thank You message giving you the opportunity to immediately schedule your in-person interview.

If you are not ready to schedule immediately, the confirmation email you receive will also have a link to schedule your required in-person interview. Interviews will be held October 19–23, 2026. Be sure to monitor your email, as the interview is a required step in the application and selection process.

Selection Process

Once all interviews have been completed, the Selection Committee will review each application and interview before making its decisions. Applicants will be notified of their application status by email no later than November 18, 2026.

Accepting Your Invitation

If you are selected for the 2027 Master Gardener Intern Class, please reply to your acceptance email by indicating ACCEPT or DECLINE no later than November 23, 2026.

Registration Fee

Applicants who accept their invitation to join the 2027 Master Gardener Intern Class must submit the class registration fee by December 16, 2026. A payment link will be included in your acceptance email.

Please Note:

- Do not send fees with your application. Tuition fees are only due after acceptance into the intern class.

For additional information, please visit www.DCMGA.com or email interns@dcmga.com

We will seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities for this program. We ask that you contact interns@dcmga.com as soon as possible to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that will be required.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U S Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

Change Log:

8/5/26 modified the sentence in the last element to inform the applicant about how they will see the interview scheduler form.

7/28/26 added a paragraph sentence about the three like reasons for becoming a MG. Hid the long text element for Technical skill assessment and changed it to a Scale rating element.

7/27/2026 changed the Thank You messsage to include new verbiage prefilled link to the Intern Appointment Scheduler form.

7/22/2026 worked online with Brenda and replaced 1st and 2nd opening paragrpahs. Updated all dates related to deadlines and classes. Added information about setting up interviews - Waiting on SUG URL from Sheila to insert. Added Denise Catalano and Erin to the Notification email.

7/15/26 Cloned from the 2026 form and changed dates to reflect 2026 and 2027/28, Brenda will review.

Previous changes:

1/19/2026 changed notification email from kimtreks@gmail.com to interns@dcmga.com and also changed brendagriffinmartin@gmail.com to mal@dcmga.com.