Foundations of Gardening

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Foundations of Gardening (FOG) is a comprehensive 10-week online MSU Extension course. This course is designed for any adult who wants to learn the science behind great gardening and is also the first step toward becoming an MSU Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer. People who wish to apply to the MSU EMG volunteer program can continue the application process once they have earned their FOG certificate. (See the link below). Those who do not want to become an EMG have no further obligations. Receiving a FOG certificate does not guarantee an individual will become an MSU EMG and the timing of volunteer application steps may vary by county.

Registration is open for Winter 2025 Foundations of Gardening! Instructions below.

To learn more about the structure of the class, click on the following link for the Foundations of Gardening Course Syllabus

To learn more about Foundations of Gardening and the MSU Extension Master Gardener program, watch our short video below.

Scroll down for information on scholarships and registration information.

Learn more about the course here:

Foundations of Gardening Course Syllabus

2025 COURSE OFFERINGS

Registration is open for Winter (Feb 6 - April 17, 2025)!

Live sessions Thursdays, 6 - 8:30pm

Registration ends on January 29, 2025

Two Steps to Register:

1. Create your Michigan State University (MSU) Guest Account* by going to this link and following the prompts:

Create Your MSU Guest Account

Once you have created your guest account return to this website. If you would like step-by-step instructions on how to create your account visit this page: Instructions: Creating Your Guest Account.

*If you already have an MSU Guest Account from taking a recent course with us, you may not need to do this step.

2. After you have an account, register for the course by clicking on the following link:

Register for Foundations of Gardening

At the registration site, you will be prompted to login with your MSU Guest Account (your email) and Password. Once you are logged in, you will be able to register and pay. Upon registration, you will receive an email confirmation.

More info on the Winter FOG Course:

The course does not begin until 8am on January 23, 2025. You will not be able to access the course until this date/time.
If you have any questions, please contact us at MSUE.FOG@msu.edu
Cost: $350/person*
*Optional print manual available at an additional cost. Instructions to order for interested registrants sent out in late December.

Winter registration period - December 4, 2024-January 29, 2025
Winter class start date (practice session) - Thursday, February 6, 2025
Winter class end date (Unit 10) - Thursday, April 17, 2025
Winter class closes - May 22, 2025

Fall (Sept 2 - Nov 18, 2025) - live sessions Tuesdays, 6 - 8:30pm

Fall scholarship period - May 21-June 18, 2025
Fall registration period July 2-August 27, 2025
Fall classes start (practice session) Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Fall class end date (unit 10) Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Fall course closes December 30, 2025

Will there be other courses offered?

Yes! We offer two course every year. One Feb-April, the other Sept-Nov.

Enter your contact info here and we will keep you updated about future FOG courses.

NOTE: The above link is for future communications about upcoming courses. It is not a registration link.

Scholarship Information (closed until Fall 2025 session)

Scholarships of $150 can be applied (if awarded) towards the cost of MSU Extension's Foundations of Gardening (FOG) when registration opens. There are three short essay questions in this application where you can share your interest in the course and this scholarship.

- Those who receive a scholarship are notified with instructions on how to register before FOG registration opens. Due to the volume of applications received, we may not always contact those who do not receive a scholarship. Questions related to this process or your application can be directed to MSUE.FOG@msu.edu.
- Unclaimed scholarships cannot be used for future FOG courses - reapplication is necessary.

Additional Course Information

Please click on the above Syllabus link for more details on MSU Extension's Foundations of Gardening.

Other inquiries related to Foundations of Gardening: MSUE.FOG@msu.edu

This course replaces MSU Extension's former MSU Extension Master Gardener training; however, not everyone who registers for this course needs to apply to become an MSU Extension Master Gardener. You may take this course for personal reasons and leave with our certificate if you pass the course. If interested in joining the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program after enrolling in this course, click here for more details on steps to apply to become and MSU EMG. Taking this course does not guarantee you will become an MSU EMG but is the first step needed to apply to become one. A FOG certificate can be used to apply to the MSU EMG Volunteer Program for up to three years after receiving the certificate.

Although this course is directed to adults, teens can take the FOG course; however, no one under the age of 18 can apply to become an MSU EMG.

Inquiries about the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program: MSUE.MG@msu.edu

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Please indicate any accessibility requests by emailing MSUE.FOG@msu.edu.

Foundations of Gardening Course Content
10 Self-Paced Units (One per week)	Ten units composed of readings, videos, activities, and website explorations. Learning materials are completed prior to attending the live virtual class each week.
10 Live Virtual Class Sessions (One per week)	Each week a 2.5-hour webinar is taught by MSU experts in the field. Lectures reinforce and expand on content and include polls, demonstrations, and a Q&A session.
Assessments and Certification	Weekly assessments are used to track knowledge gains. Those who achieve a score of 80% or higher on all unit post-assessments and the final exam earn a Certificate of Completion.
Social Opportunities	A virtual social discussion board provides opportunities to connect with others taking the course.
Downloadable Resources	The contents of this course are entirely online. All readings and many resources can be downloaded for use during and after the course.