Becoming a Master Gardener
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Applications due by November 8th
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. | While there are no prerequisites to join the class, we receive a high volume of applicants. Due to the volume we receive, informal interviews are conducted. While we try to accommodate all interested, please understand space is limited and enrollment is not guaranteed. Priority is given to Davidson County residents. Classes run from January through the firsr week of May. 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. |
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:
If you live outside Davidson County, to locate your county extension information go to: UT Extension County Offices | TEMG Training Topics include:Environmental Stewardship Soil Building and Maintenance Cover Crops Botany & Propagation Landscape Design & Herbaceous Ornamentals Woody Ornamentals & Trees Entomology & Integrated Pest Management Plant Pathology Grass, Turf, & Weeds Fruiting Plants Vegetables Pollinators Multi-County Capstone Events |
