UGA Cooperative Extension
DeKalb County Extension Office:
How Do I Become A Master Gardener?
The application process begins early September every year for the metro counties that train together – DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett. We all work together to manage the training program but we all recruit and select our own volunteer trainees so you must apply in the county where you reside.
To be sure you are on our mail list for application information, contact us any time and make sure we have your home mailing address and your email. Contact is made by early September to let interested clientele know about the application process and the training schedule for the upcoming class.
Training Timeline:
- Early September: Application process begins. Contact local offices early about the application process.
- Early to mid-October: All applications due back to local Extension offices for Metro Atlanta Program in DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett.
- Late October to early November: Applicants are notified about their application status by mail. Each of the three counties has only30 openings available for training, so the whole class will be composed of 90 total trainees.
- December: New trainees are invited to a pre-orientation luncheon (DeKalb only).
- First week of January: One day per week to reduce travel; Thirteen (13) consecutive Wednesdays includes:
- Eleven (11) sessions from 9:30 a.m. - 12 noon with a lunch break, and return for afternoon session from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Two (2) sessions from 9:30 a.m. - 12 noon only
- Early April: Training concludes and you attend a half day county orientation to prepare you for your volunteer duties.
- April through April of the following year - Trainees are scheduled to complete your 50 hours of volunteer time. ( Without completion of the volunteer commitment you can not become a “Certified Master Gardener”. You simply went through a 50 hour garden training!)
Contacts for mailing list:
Gary Peiffer
DeKalb Horticulture Coordinator
404-298-4080
grpeiffe@dekalbcountyga.gov
Averil Bonsall
DeKalb Master Gardener Coordinator
404-298-4071
abonsall@dekalbcountyga.gov
