Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program
Do you enjoy sharing plants and gardening with others? Helping neighbors solve problems with their lawn or their shrubs? Being a resource to community gardeners who are growing fresh fruits and vegetables? We'd love for you to join our team of enthusiastic Master Gardener Extension Volunteers as we share horticulture and gardening education within our community.
What does it mean to be a Master Gardener Extension Volunteer?
Master Gardener Extension Volunteers (MGEVs) are trained volunteers with unique skills and abilities, who share a love of plants and gardens and an enthusiam for learning. They are a variety of ages, personalities, and professions united by a passion for teaching others. MGEVs are volunteer educators who represent UGA Extension.
The purpose of the Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) program is to assist UGA Extension in providing unbiased horticultural information through volunteer community service and consumer horticulture programming. The MGEV program is a volunteer program with a significant training and education component.
In your first year, after finishing 48 hours of coursework, you complete 50 hours of volunteer service within Fulton County on approved Extension projects. After your first year, you complete 25 hours of volunteer service per year on approved projects, and you can submit your own project for approval if you see a need in your community.
Learn more at the Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program website.
Do I have to know a lot about gardening to apply?
No! Some basic experience and knowledge is preferable, but we welcome enthusiastic people who want to share their love of plants with their communities through Extension programming and consumer horticulture projects. If you have the time and commitment to learn and want to put your knowlege and skills to work through volunteer service, contact the Fulton County Extension Office for guidance on the application and screening process.
How do I apply?
Thank you to everyone who applied for our 2024 class! Our next class will be held in 2026. Please keep an eye on our website and social media for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact Norlethia Harris (norlethia.harris@uga.edu).
Master Gardener Contacts
State Initiatives
Environmental Stewardship – Increasing awareness and knowledge of landscape and garden management for the optimum use and protection of the environment, including management of all aspects of the residential landscape (soil, plants, insects, diseases, and wildlife), understanding and proper use of equipment, pesticides, fertilizers, and other landscaping inputs to have the greatest value with little negative impact on the environment.
Home Food Production – Teaching the benefits of home food production and developing skills and knowledge in growing food, managing community gardens, or contributing to food banks or kitchens.
Gardening with Youth – Increasing young people’s awareness and understanding of the value of horticulture and landscaping, using horticulture as a tool to increase responsibility and leadership for youth, and teaching individuals and professionals (i.e., teachers and therapists) how to use horticulture to reach young people.
Value of Landscapes – Developing within communities the knowledge and skill to ensure proper design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes for economic benefit to residents, state and local government employees and agencies, and professionals in impacted fields, such as tourism and real-estate development.
Health Benefits of Gardening – Teaching the value of the interior and exterior landscape for human health, well-being, and quality of life, transferring knowledge and skills to intended audiences so that they might utilize this information for personal health and a healthier workplace and community.
Volunteers benefit from the training, networking with other garden enthusiasts, and the opportunity to serve their communities.