What is the Mission of the TN Extension Master Gardener Program?
Improve the lives of Tennesseans through horticulture education delivered by a dedicated and skilled volunteer network.
175,778 hours of service and educational outreach in 2016!
- The Breakdown:
- 2,364 Volunteers reporting
- 31,872 Continuing education hours
- 671 Interns trained
- 1 State and 2 regional conferences
Representing a value to Tennessee of $3,677,275.76 in 2016!
To become an Extension Master Gardener:
- Contact your local county Extension office to complete:
- 40 hours of basic horticulture classes
- Volunteer service and continuing education hours (required for certification)
- Information sheet with additional details about TEMG
SP- 635.pdf
Benefits for Extension Master Gardeners:
- Forming friendships and having fun
- Expanding your gardening skills
- Sharing your gardening knowledge
- Being involved in your local community
- Making a difference in Tennessee
What exactly are volunteer opportunities?
Extension Master Gardeners support the UT Extension residential and consumer horticulture program in their county. They coordinate and teach plant clinics and garden seminars, answer horticulture questions and write articles or newsletters. Master Gardeners share what they enjoy with the general public.
Interested in hearing perspectives on the Tennessee Master Gardener program?
Hear Drs. Chris Cooper & Natalie Bumgarner discuss the program on
'The Family Plot'.
National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture!
The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) creates a unified voice to promote the benefits and value of horticulture. NICH brings together academia, government, industry and nonprofits to cultivate the growth and development of a healthy world through landscapes, gardens and plants – indoors and out.
This movement nurtures a passion and appreciation for plants and increases the demand for gardening, from horticultural grants at universities to attendance at public gardens to foot traffic in garden centers.
Mission:Growing a healthy world through plants, gardens, and landscapes.
Vision:
Use stakeholder partnerships to increase the percentage of U.S. households participating in Consumer Horticulture to 90% by 2025!
For more information check out the full website!