Membership

Membership Eligibility

Those who have successfully completed training as Master Gardeners in Wisconsin or another state are eligible to become members of the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association (MAMGA).

Retaining certification as a Master Gardener is recommended, but is NOT required for MAMGA membership. 

MAMGA members are also eligible to join WIMGA (Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association). MAMGA collects the dues for WIMGA membership (see below). For more information about WIMGA, go to www.wimga.org

Questions?  Please email info@mamgawi.org.

  MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

MAMGA provides many benefits to its members on an annual basis.

  • Discounts at area nurseries and retailers

    We are currently updating our list for 2024. Keep checking for the latest discounts. Check the list on our web page before shopping, since discounts vary

  • Free or discounted admission to MAMGA sponsored programs and events and educational programs

  • Garden tours

  • Service and community education opportunities

  • View programs, fellowship and social events here.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND DUES

  • MAMGA membership dues are $25 for one calendar year, due in January.

  • New members may join MAMGA at any time during the year, if they are transferring or as soon as they are certified as Master Gardeners in Wisconsin.

  • You may renew or apply for new membership online with a credit card. If you prefer to mail a check, print out the mail-in form and follow the instructions

  • If you include an optional Wisconsin Master Gardener Association (WIMGA) membership, MAMGA will forward this $5 annual membership dues to WIMGA

  • Membership cards will be mailed in January to those who renew on time by January 1. After that, membership cards will be mailed as payment is received

  • Please email info@mamgawi.org if your contact information changes during the year so that our emails and mailings reach you.

REPORTING YOUR MASTER GARDENER HOURS

Moving forward, for those wishing to maintain their UW Extension MG certification, WI Master Gardener Volunteer hours and continuing education hours are to be reported online in UW-Extension’s new Online Reporting System (ORS). All information for this new reporting system is available online via UW-Extension.

 

MAMGA, WIMGA, and UW Extension are separate organizations that function together to benefit Master Gardeners in south-central Wisconsin. Photo: UKGardenPhotos, Creative Commons.

MAMGA, WIMGA, and UW Extension are separate organizations that function together to benefit Master Gardeners in south-central Wisconsin. Photo: UKGardenPhotos, Creative Commons.

Understanding MAMGA & WIMGA

MAMGA, the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association, is a local non-profit organization of persons who have completed the basic Master Gardener training course, or are current students. MAMGA members may or may not also be currently certified Master Gardener Volunteers (see below).  MAMGA exists to provide education, service, and fellowship opportunities for its members. Membership costs $25 per calendar year. MAMGA members receive discounts at many local nurseries, participate in educational programs and garden tours throughout the year, have many opportunities to volunteer and hold social events.

WIMGA, the Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association, is a state-wide non-profit organization of persons who have completed the basic Master Gardener course, or are current students. Most MAMGA members also choose to join WIMGA, but doing so is not required. WIMGA membership costs $5 per year. WIMGA members receive a monthly newsletter.  WIMGA also hosts a statewide Master Gardener conference each year.

*Certified Master Gardener Volunteers have completed the basic Master Gardener training course and have satisfied annual volunteer service, continuing education requirements, and other requirements as determined by the Dane Co/UW Extension program.  Annual reporting of volunteer hours and continuing education credits is required. Certified MGVs get the monthly, electronic-only Volunteer Vibe and other informational communications from the state MG Program Office.  There is no cost to be certified as a Master Gardener Volunteer. Certified Master Gardener Volunteers assist gardeners through the local UW-Extension Office by serving as plant health advisors, answering hotline calls, tending the Teaching Garden, and performing various other activities that support the UW-Extension Horticulture Program in the community. Certified Master Gardener Volunteers also conduct gardening outreach and service at public spaces and qualified non-profit organizations.  Although most Certified Master Gardener Volunteers choose to join MAMGA and/or WIMGA, it is not a requirement to maintain annual certification. For more information about Master Gardener Volunteer certification, see our FAQs page.