Madison County Master Gardener's Association

Background of the Master Gardener's Program:

The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program offered through county offices of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Services. It is designed to help Extension agents transfer research-based information about gardening and related subjects to the public by training home gardeners. Through this program, individuals are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas.

The Master Gardeners' volunteer their expertise and services, under the direction of their Cooperative Extension Agent, to help educate others through horticultural projects that benefit the community. Master Gardeners bring the latest information and practices from the world of research to their communities' landscapes and gardens.

The concept of Master Gardener volunteer training began more than 30 years ago. Overwhelmed by requests for gardening information, Extension agents from Washington State University recruited home gardeners. In exchange for specialized training in horticulture, these gardeners made a commitment to spend time doing volunteer outreach work. Through the Master Gardener program, thousands of people across the United States and Canada have been trained as volunteers. Similar programs exist in the UK , Australia and other countries.

The Georgia Master Gardener Program was started in Atlanta in 1979. Master Gardeners are now active in over 100 counties throughout Georgia .

Fourteen residents completed the first class offered in Madison County in February 1999. The class started in November 1998. The class started meeting to form the Madison County Master Gardener's Association. There first two projects was landscaping the extension office and they signed on with "Adopt-A-Mile" program sponsered by Keep Madison County Beautiful.

Please see the Projects page for additional information on our projects.