UGA Extension offers Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program to plant enthusiasts across the state. The program brings the outreach mission of Cooperative Extension to Georgia communities by training individuals who love growing landscape and ornamental plants, vegetables and fruits in their home garden and prepare them on how to take care of plants for ornamental value, recreation and home food production. After participating in the training, the extension volunteers share their knowledge of how to use plants and gardens to improve environment, personal health and quality of life with their community members.
Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Trainees receive 50 hours of classroom and hand-on instruction in horticulture and related subjects from UGA Extension Agents and specialists, local plant experts and veteran Master Gardeners. A minimum registration fee covers instruction, supplies and an extensive training manual.
The comprehensive training program explores topics like:
- Basic plant biology, physiology and nutrition
- Identification, control, and prevention of insect, disease and weed problems.
- Selecting, planting, and maintaining annuals, perennials, ornamentals and turf.
- Vegetable, small-fruit and organic gardening
- Composting, grass cycling and mulching
- Water-efficient gardening
- Landscape design
Once the training program is completed, and after passing the final exam, the trainees serve 50 volunteer hours in several master gardeners-led volunteer projects such as sharing information about garden topics, introducing youth to the joy and wonder of plants, prepare media content, community beautification projects, plant clinics, community gardens, school gardens, general support in extension programs, booths at community events, horticulture presentations and talks, etc. By completing and recording these initial volunteer service hours within one year of finishing the training program, trainees earn the title and recognition of Master Gardener Extension Volunteer.
UGA Dougherty County Cooperative Extension is one of the few county extension offices that provide master gardener program in Southwest Georgia. If you would like to be a master gardener in 2025, please sign up for the training program by clicking the sign-up button above or scanning the QR code in the flyer above and providing your contact information. Once you are signed up, we will contact you with details on how to submit your application. If you have any questions about the training program please reach out to us at UGA Dougherty County Cooperative Extension Services, 125 Pine Avenue, Suite 100, Albany, GA 31701; Email: vivek.bist@uga.edu; Phone: (229) 436-7216.
UGA is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran, Disability Institution. If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or accommodation in order to participate in or receive the benefit of a service, program, or activity of UGA, or if you desire more information, please contact us.
