Horticulture | Georgia Master Gardener

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a Georgia Master Gardener?

Georgia residents may have the opportunity to become a Master Gardener in their home county. Classes usually form either in the spring or fall. Interested volunteer candidates should contact their local county extension office to see if an active program exists and when the next class will be taught. It is possible to join another county's program if one does not already exist in your home county. This must be worked out between the local and hosting county agent. Upon acceptance into the program you will be required to complete a 20 session (usually twice a week) training program that will cover topics ranging from landscape design, plant propagation and turf, to different programs such as nuisance wildlife control. Again, the intent of the program is to train you in subjects that will prepare you to assist the local county agents. Participants usually take a mid-term exam and will be required to pass a final exam on the material covered. For more information contact your local county extension agent or the State Coordinator.

What do Master Gardeners do?

Master Gardeners are volunteer educators. Typical volunteer activities include: Answering plant questions over the phone, in person or by e-mail, environmental gardening demonstrations, staffing plant clinics, maintaining compost and gardening demonstration sites, writing for newsletters or newspapers, youth gardening activities and other community gardening projects.

There's no Master Gardener Program in my county, how do I become a Georgia Master Gardener?

That's a question that gets asked often, even though we have programs in over 60% of the counties of Georgia. In some areas, programs haven't formed because of lack of interest in the past. We ask that in most circumstances, training classes have at least 25 participants and in some rural areas it may have been difficult for agents to find enough interested people. Call your county agent and discuss with him or her the possibility of forming a training program. Be enthusiastic, find some other potential volunteers, and offer to help get the program going. Have an idea of what kind of volunteer service you can help to provide to the Extension Service. It may be that the agent wasn't aware of the interest in the program in the area. Keep in mind that some Extension agents are already filling many roles and coordinating a Master Gardener training program may not be possible due to demands on their time.

I would like to get certified as a Master Gardener to get into the landscape business, how can I do this?

The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program to assist the Cooperative Extension Service with its mission to bring information to the public. It's not intended to train or certify landscape professionals. There is an excellent program however, administered as a joint project of the Georgia Green Industry Association, the Georgia Turfgrass Association, the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association and the University of Georgia, the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional Program (GCLP). Other resources for landscape or green industry training are local technical schools and colleges. Georgia DTAE schools offer programs awarding degrees and/or diplomas in Environmental Horticulture. Ten public colleges in Georgia offer 2 and 4 year degrees and the University of Georgia also offers advanced degrees in horticulture. For more information, the Georgia Board of Regents web pages offer a search function.

Can I use the title "Master Gardener" in my business?

Georgia Master Gardeners will not use their name and/or position for commercial publicity or private business. Participating in a commercial activity, having association with commercial products, or giving implied University or Extension Service endorsements to any product or place of business is in violation of The University of Georgia policies. Master Gardeners may identify themselves as such only when doing unpaid public service work. Violation of this policy will cause immediate withdrawal of all certification privileges.

The Master Gardener badge is the identification symbol for a well trained volunteer of the Extension Service and the University of Georgia. It may only be worn in a volunteer capacity. It is not to be worn at work or in any money making capacity. Please wear the Master Gardener badge when in the Extension office or when serving in a Master Gardener volunteer event.

Gratuitous payments for speaking or other activities on behalf of the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service are strictly prohibited. However, Master Gardeners may accept contributions for their local chapter or the State Master Gardener Association (GMGA).

When and where did the Master Gardener Program begin in Georgia?

The Georgia Master Gardener Program was started in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1979 as a means of extending the educational outreach of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners serve many roles in aiding the CooperativeExtension agent deliver educational horticultural programs and information. The Georgia Master Gardener Program is designed to develop highly skilled volunteers that agree to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours of service in exchange for 40 hours of horticultural training by Extension service professionals.

What impact do Master Gardeners have on the state of Georgia?

The Georgia Master Gardener Program continues to grow across the state. Over 2500 active Master Gardeners volunteer their time across the state each year, contributing over one hundred thousand of hours of volunteer service. This translates to over a million and a half dollars in service that is donated by volunteers. Helping our county agents with phone calls continues to be a popular use of volunteer time, but Master Gardeners serve in many other capacities as well. Some Master Gardeners make home garden visits in place of the county agent, saving the agent's time to work on other matters. In addition, they plant and maintain school and community gardens, conduct classes and many other educational activities.