UGA Cooperative Extension

Putnam County Cooperative Extension Office:
Lake Country Master Gardener Association

Origin

The first official Putnam County Master Gardener class was conducted in 1999 and the formation of Lake Country Master Gardener Association resulted from on-going talks over a period of two years with the members of the 1999 master gardener class and the Putnam County Extension Agent.  The first active year of LCMGA was 2001.

The initial membership of LCMGA began with approximately twelve members from three counties (Greene, Morgan, and Putnam).  Growth has increased membership to approximately sixty five members from eight counties (Putnam, Greene, Morgan, Jones, Hancock, Baldwin, Butts, Jasper).  The majority of the membership (75%) is still concentrated in the initial tri-county area.

Our name, Lake Country, is derived from the proximity of associated counties to Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair in Central Georgia.  We are located in horticultural zone 8A.

Mission

The mission of the LCMGA is to provide volunteer assistance to the citizens of the associated counties by utilizing master gardeners.  These are people with a passion for gardening who have been trained and educated to supplement and enhance the work of the associated County Cooperative Extension Services, its agents and staff.  We accomplish our mission through newsletters, meetings, programs, activities and projects.  We endeavor to fulfill our motto of “Sharing Our Knowledge”.

Goals

LCMGA is a not for profit educational organization whose primary goals are:

• Provide an organized forum for the Master Gardeners of the associated counties to promote interaction and support among Master Gardeners for educational, social and service activities.
• Provide a structure that will allow Master Gardeners to select, implement, fund and maintain programs and projects in the associated counties in compliance with the Extension Service horticulture staff.
• Maximize volunteer interaction with associated County Extension office agents and staff as well as serve as a volunteer resource organization for the associated County Cooperative Extension Services.
• Expand the Master Gardeners’ knowledge of and interest in gardening and related activities.
• Disseminate to our community information about best management horticultural practices and techniques, using the research and recommendations of the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service as a reference base.

Master Gardener Definition

A certified Master Gardener is one who has completed the classroom training sessions and satisfactorily fulfilled his/her volunteer service as required by the Georgia Master Gardener Program and certified by the County Extension Agent.  Any person who has completed the Master Gardener training program in Georgia (or another state with proof of eligibility) is eligible for full membership, including all Master Gardener interns and certified Master Gardeners.