WSU Extension graduates over 800 in newly offered Washington Green School
High school students and teachers, people with a lifetime of gardening experience, horticulture industry professionals: The new Washington Green School (WGS) drew a diverse gardening crowd in its first graduating class.
“I’m already hearing so much great feedback,” said Jennifer Marquis, director of the long-running Washington State University Master Gardener Program who oversees the new green school course.
Participants are reporting increased confidence in locating science-backed gardening information, elevated purpose and goals, and the ability to accurately identify plant diseases in their own backyards.
“It was gratifying to reach such a large and diverse audience,” Marquis added.
A shared desire for research-based gardening information tailored to Washington state’s unique climates drew participants together for the inaugural five-month course. Over 800 people graduated, each earning a Washington Gardener Certificate while honing their green thumbs along the way.
The new course adopts the curriculum of the WSU Master Gardener volunteer program, which has deep historical roots in WSU Extension. Master gardener volunteers serve communities throughout Washington, offering horticultural expertise and cultivating community to grow resilient landscapes, support nutrition security, and connect people to the health benefits of gardening.
WGS fills a niche for those who don’t have the time, desire, or energy to become a master gardener but still want access to the science-based gardening curriculum.
“Participants are really appreciative of the research-based gardening knowledge that they can apply in their own gardens,” said Bryce Battisti, WGS coordinator. “They trust WSU will provide them with gardening information that is not based solely off people’s personal experience or opinions.”
Marquis and Battisti used the newly published, peer-reviewed Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Handbook: Growing for the Future in the WGS curriculum. Over 50 experts from across WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) and partner organizations contributed to the 28-chapter manual, published in summer 2025. The initial WGS course began in the fall.
The handbook covers topics ranging from basic botany and soil science to lawn maintenance and fire-resistant landscaping.
“We took learners through this online content in multiple ways — there’s the chapter, a video overview, and lesson-by-lesson learning activities that align with quizzes building toward the final exam,” said Battisti, who has nearly three decades of experience in higher education. “All this is supported by a weekly live review session and feedback explaining every quiz answer.”
Creating an online, statewide WGS learning platform allows participants from anywhere to connect and interact with university specialists from across Extension and CAHNRS — this is especially helpful for those who live in more remote areas, Battisti said.
To explore the breadth and depth of information presented throughout the course, Battisti recommends participants set aside about 10 hours per week. For some participants, the hours invested in learning translate to career advancement.
“WGS satisfies continuing education credits for those in horticultural industries, and we wanted the certificate at the end to mean something — evidence that the education made a difference,” said Battisti.
But for the many home gardeners who took the course, one of the greatest rewards is the new confidence and fulfillment found in the art of cultivating backyard veggies, fruits, and flowers.
“I believe that education empowers people to make informed decisions that will enhance their lives,” Marquis said. “Through WGS, people learn how to be successful gardeners and discover how plants benefit individuals, families, and communities.”
Further information
The next Washington Green School course will begin fall 2026. Registration is open through Sept. 30.