The TEMG Master Gardener Program

The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener (TEMG) Program is a volunteer service organization offered by the University of Tennessee Extension. The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to train citizens as horticulture educators and environmental stewards for their communities. All volunteers are trained with 40 hours of horticultural classes and return 40 hours of volunteer community service through their Extension office along with 8 additional continuing education hours.

Recertification is necessary with 25 hours of service and 8 hours of continuing education on a yearly basis to maintain certified status.

Volunteers work in partnership with their counties to expand the educational outreach by providing home gardeners with researched-based information. These volunteers, known as Extension Master Gardeners, support the Extension Service by…

• running plant clinics
• answering phone requests for horticultural information
• establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens
• working with the disabled, youth, elderly, and other special groups in the community
• designing and implementing community involvement projects
• coordinating local Master Gardener training programs
• assisting with local and state fairs

The certification requirements for a Tennessee Extension Master Gardener are as follows:

• Attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled class sessions for the training program.
• Perform and report 40 hours of service work and 8 hours of continuing education within 12 months of beginning the training program.
• Certification is renewable annually upon completion of volunteer and educational requirements.

If you live outside Davidson County, to locate your county extension information go to: UT Extension County Offices

TEMG Training Topics include:

The 2024 Davidson County Master Gardener Classes

Thank you for your interest in joining the Master Gardeners of Davidson County!  The next training session will be held January-April 2024.  Classes will be Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. Class location is TBD.

Applications are now open.  Applications will close at midnight on September 30th. 

You can complete the digital application (preferred) here online:

Click HERE for 2024 Digital application

or you can submit a hard copy. Find the hard copy here: 

Click HERE for 2024 Hard copy application

tiny.utk.edu/mgofdcmailapplication

Hard copies can be mailed or dropped off in person to the below address:

Davidson County Extension Office
Attn to: Amy Dunlap
1417 Murfreesboro Pike P.O. Box 19630
Nashville, TN 37219

Submitting an application does not guarantee enrollment.

While there are no prerequisites to join the class, we receive a very high volume of applicants. Due to the volume we receive, informal interviews are conducted. While we try to accommodate all interested, please understand we have limited space. Priority is given to Davidson County residents.

Cost is $200 for the 14 week course and includes a textbook and all training materials.  If you apply as a couple and want to share a textbook, the cost will be $350. 

Do not send money with your application. If you are accepted, you will be contacted at a later date with information about the payment of the fee.

Thank you for your interest in the Master Gardeners of Davidson County Training program.