The Master Gardener Program is offered by the University of Tennessee Extension. The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to train people as horticultural-educated volunteers. These volunteers work in partnership with their counties to expand the educational outreach, providing home ga​rdeners with researched-based information. Each volunteer has been trained with 40 hours of horticultural education, and keeps updated with continuing education events.

The Northeast Master Gardener Association (NETMGA) membership includes  volunteers from Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener phone calls, teaching classes in the community, and organizing new Master Gardener classes. Their presence can be seen in many local historic site gardens, demonstration gardens and community vegetable gardens.



Dear Master Gardeners,

Currently, all UT and TSU Extension Face to Face meetings have been cancelled starting March 16 and continuing through April 30.*  I’ll keep you updated as changes in the status of the Extension Office and Master Gardener Program develop.

Thanks,

Chris Ramsey

County Director and Extension Agent

140 Spurgeon Lane

Blountville, TN 37617

423 – 574-1961 Office

423 – 646-9043 Cell

*UT face-to-face meetings are now cancelled through July 31.

Due to the COVID 19 Virus, and social distancing requirements, the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener State Conference will be postponed until 2022.

Tennessee Master Gardeners can look forward to Regional conferences in 2021, which are already in the planning stages. More details as they become available.

CEU Opportunities

While social distancing requirements are in effect, Master Gardeners may earn CEU credits by watching or participating in online teaching sessions, particularly those offered through Extension. NETMGA members will be alerted to ZOOM sessions and other opportunities by email.   

WASHINGTON COUNTY EXTENSION EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:

6:30 – 7:30 pm ZOOM Meetings

May 12 – Herb Thyme: Garden to Table (click to register)

May 21 – Gardening for Pollinators (click to register)

GREENE COUNTY EXTENSION EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:

6:30 – 7:30 pm ZOOM Meetings (click to register)

May 11 – Preserving the Harvest

May 18 – Beneficial Bugs

May 25 – Summer Wildflowers

TENNESSEE MASTER GARDENER HORTICULTURAL SERIES

11:00 – noon ZOOM Meetings (click to register)

May 19

June 16

July 14

August 11

SULLIVAN COUNTY EXTENSION EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY:

10:00 – 11:00 ZOOM Meeting

May 20 – Gardening Tips from Chris’ Yard -  "Surprises in the Landscape" 

Contact Chris for sign in information if you did not receive it by email.

***** READ ALL ABOUT IT ****

4/20  For tips on starting a vegetable garden, see Chris' Column "Vegetable Gardening 2020." 

3/30  Learn more about the history of Extension, and how Extension impacts our community now in Chris's Column "Extension Month 2020."