Got gardening questions? You can always ask the Almanac, but you should also know about your own state’s cooperative extension service. They are made up of local experts who provide on-the-ground advice with tricky insect problems, the best varieties to plant in your area, and more! Here’s a list of cooperative extension offices by state.
What Is a Cooperative Extension?
In 1914, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partnered with a nationwide network of universities to create a system of “extension” services. The goal of these services was to provide farmers across the country with advice from local experts regarding all things agriculture and farming.
The program was a huge success, and today, there are extension services in all 50 states (though some are not associated with the USDA). Extension services routinely put on community events, hold lectures and courses, and answer gardening and farming questions from locals. Typically, an extension service has a “home base” located at a prominent university in the state, but will often have a series of county offices, too.
Contact your state’s extension service (sometimes called “cooperative extension” services) for advice on anything from combating local pests to choosing plant varieties suitable for your area. Extension services are also the place to turn to to get your garden soil tested (usually for a small fee), enroll in a Master Gardener program, or get your child involved in a 4-H club.
Cooperative Extension Services by State
Although we LOVE to answer your gardening questions here on our website, sometimes the knowledge of a local expert is required! Consult the list below to find the cooperative extension service in your state for free advice.
Note: These website links may change occasionally, so please comment below if you find the link is not working and we will update it. Thank you.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Reader Comments
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Michigan link Doesn’t work
Extension link for Michigan does not work
Michigan
Thanks for letting us know! The link has been updated.
Master Gardeners
The Master Gardener program is usually administered by the extension service in each county under the state wide supervision of the designated university. If you are at all interested in gardening, I urge you to look into this program. There is a lot of time and work involved, but the benefits and knowledge that you gain by this experience is well worth it. It is a good way to give back to the community, make new friends and learn about gardening in your area. I have been a Master Gardener for nine years and have never regretted getting involved for a minute.
Extension Link
Unfortunately the extension link for Utah is not working. Thanks!
Utah
We have updated the link. Thanks for letting us know!
California link for COOPERATIVE EXTENSION not working
could you please send me a link or help me find my local Cooperative so I can see about getting my soil tested. Thank you so much!
I am new to all this and want to start from the 'ground' up! :-)
California extension
Hi Dena, Happy to help. The link was on their home page but not easy to find so we updated the link to this: https://ucanr.edu/About/Locations/ You will see a map and can select your area. California is very organized and has an extensive and fantastic cooperative extension service. All the best! Your OFA editors.
Cooperative extension not on the list
Why South Africa not on the list
Cooperative extensions
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is published in the United States and Canada. We do not cover gardening zones outside of this area. If there are cooperative extensions in South Africa, you are welcome to share with the community here.