Become a Master Gardener

 Who are Tennessee Master Gardeners?

Tennessee Master Gardeners (TMG's) are trained volunteers that help the Extension Service share the latest and greatest gardening information! All volunteers are trained with 40 hours of horticultural classes and return 40 hours of volunteer community service through their Extension office.

State-wide there are approximately 2,000 active Master Gardeners in 44 counties. Master Gardeners who continue to participate in the program return at least 25 hours of service with a minimum of 8 continued education hours annually.

The Master Gardener Program is offered by The University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service. Its main goal is to increase the availability of horticultural information to improve quality of life with community garden/landscape programs. This could only be possible through the training and utilization of local volunteers. These volunteers, known, as Master Gardeners, aid the Extension Service by running plant clinics; answering phone requests for horticultural information; establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens; working with the handicapped, youth, the elderly, and other special groups in the community; designing and implementing community involvement projects; as well as coordinating Master Gardener training programs.

The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to train citizens as horticultural-educated volunteers of The University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service and the Tennessee State Cooperative Extension Program to work in partnership with their counties to expand the educational outreach by providing home gardeners with researched-based information.

What does a Master Gardener do?

Activities:

• Develop educational programs and activities related to gardening and nature.
• Educational seminars
• Plant Clinics
• Writing News Articles
• Answering Questions One-on-one
• Creating Demonstration Gardens
• Fundraising for Better Environmental Projects
• …and many more.

TMG volunteers serve all community groups.

• Civic organizations
• School children
• The handicapped
• The elderly and confined
• Environmental Organizations
• Community Officials
• Garden clubs
• Public Libraries
• …and many more

Is this program for you?

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you have an interest in any of the volunteer areas mentioned above?
2. Do you have desire to share the joy of gardening with others?
3. Do you want to teach others more about nature and their environment?
4. Do you have 80 hours this year to train (40 hours) and volunteer (40 hours) for your community?

If you answered “Yes” to these questions Please join our Tennessee Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

How do I become a Master Gardener?

Contact your county Extension Agent to find the Master Gardener training closest to you. In Haywood County, contact UT Extension Director Walter Battle at 100 South Wilson, Brownsville, TN 38012, e-mail: walter.battle@utk.edu or call 731-772-2861.