UGA Cooperative Extension

Bryan County Extension
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Georgia Master Gardener Program

What is the Master Gardener Program?

The Master Gardener program is a volunteer program in gardening with extensive education in horticulture principles and pest control practices. The goal of the program is to train volunteers to help maximize Extension's outreach in the county. This is accomplished by using Master Gardeners to extend our community programming efforts. Master Gardeners are highly trained individuals who give unbiased, research-based information in horticulture. The Bryan County Extension office, in conjunction with the Chatham, Liberty and Effingham County Extension Offices,  conducts a Master Gardener training class every year. More information on the program and how to apply can be obtained by calling the Bryan County Extension at (912) 653-2231.

When are classes conducted?

Classes are conducted in the winter of each year at the Bamboo Farms and Coastal Gardens located on Highway 17, Savannah, GA.   The Extension Offices will begin taking applications for the winter classes in October of each year. Classes start in February and conclude in May. Class hours for the past years have been 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week.

What do participants learn in the class sessions?

The class sessions provide very intense training in the the areas of: Soils and Plant Nutrition, Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Weed Indentification and Control. Class sessions also focus individually on vegetables, ornamentals, herbs, turf grasses, annual and perennial flowers, and ornamental trees. All sessions will consist of classroom presentations with laboratory exercises and field trips to supplement classroom education.

What is required of the class participants?

The fee for the 2009 Master Gardener program was $175.00.

In order to receive Master Gardener Extension certification, participants must complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service to the Bryan County Extension. These 50 hours of volunteer service must be completed by December 31st  in the year that the participant takes the course.  Participants must also maintain and turn into the Bryan County Extension, on or before January 10th of each year, a log book for verification of volunteer hours, contacts, mileage, and educational hours. After the initial volunteer hours, participants must complete a minimum of 25 hours each year to remain certified as a Master Gardener.

As enrollment in the Master Gardener program is limited, you are encouraged to visit this web site again in October and fill out an application as thoroughly as possible. Also, please sign and date the Memorandum of Understanding. After completing the application and the Memorandum of Understanding, send them to the Bryan County Extension, P. O. Box 250, Pembroke, GA 31321. Interviews and selections for the program are conducted by County Extension Agents and assistants. Selections are based on your interest in being a volunteer and your gardening expertise.

Class participants will receive a name badge, state Master Gardener Association membership, local Coastal Master Gardener Association membership, reference materials and the Georgia Master Gardener Handbook.

What are Master Gardeners involved in?

• civic and garden club presentations
• maintaining demonstration gardens at Bamboo Farms and Coastal Gardens
• working at county festivals & garden clinics
• school garden programs
• planning & implementing public relations projects
• school and community landscape projects
• assisting in office telephone duties  

The following is a sample of the schedule of the Master Gardener classes:

Most meetings will be held at the Bambbo Farm and Coastal Gardens on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, except where noted by a *.