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:

Local Group Orientation
TEMG Orientation/TN Hort Overview
Environmental Stewardship
Soils & Cover Crops
Botany & Propagation
Landscape Design & Herbaceous Ornamentals
Woody Ornamentals & Trees
Entomology & IPM
Pathology
Turf & Weeds
Fruits
Vegetables
Pollinators & County Wrap Up
Multi-County Capstone Events

The 2024 Davidson County Master Gardener Classes

Thank you for your interest in joining the Master Gardeners of Davidson County! We recently finished our 2023 class. The next training is Spring 2024 (January-May).

Applications open in August. They will be posted on our website here with information and due dates for submission. Submitting an application is not guaranteed 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.

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

©2023 Master Gardeners of Davidson County All Rights Reserved. NOTICE: Trade and brand names are used only for information. Tennessee Extension does not guarantee nor warrant the standard of any product mentioned; neither does it imply approval of any product to the exclusion of others which also may be suitable. Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. Tennessee Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.