Master Gardener Volunteers

The Georgia Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program designed to help the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension staff transfer research-based information about gardening and related subjects to the public by training home gardeners. Volunteers benefit from the training, networking with other garden enthusiasts, and the opportunity to serve their communities. Through this program, Cooperative Extension is able to reach out and serve more citizens with educational programming and demonstrations in 5 target areas.

State Initiatives

Environmental Stewardship – Increasing awareness and knowledge of landscape and garden management for the optimum use and protection of the environment.

Home Food Production – Teaching the benefits of home food production and developing skills and knowledge in growing food, managing community gardens, and more.

Gardening with Youth – Increasing young people’s awareness and understanding of the value of horticulture and landscaping.

Value of Landscapes – Developing within communities the knowledge and skill to ensure proper design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes.

Health Benefits of Gardening – Teaching the value of the interior and exterior landscape for human health, well-being, and quality of life.

The idea of Master Gardener volunteer training began on the West Coast more than 40 years ago. Overwhelmed by requests for gardening information, Extension agents from Washington State University recruited volunteers to help educate communities. In exchange for specialized training in horticulture, these volunteers made a commitment to spend time doing outreach work. The Master Gardener program has since traveled around the world. Through the Master Gardener program, thousands of people across the United States and Canada have been trained as volunteers. Similar programs now exist in the UK, Australia, and other countries.

In Georgia, the Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program is operated through county offices of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Our state Master Gardener Program was started in Atlanta in 1979. Today, Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers are active in many counties throughout the state.