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.



Bad Weather Cancellation Policy

If Northeast State Community College classes are cancelled due to weather, NETMGA meetings and/or classes will be cancelled.

NETMGA FACEBOOK NEWS  

We have new NETMGA Facebook page administrators, Liz, Sally, and Mary. They are actively adding new information. Thanks, ladies!  Facebook members may access the page through the following link: 

NETMGA Membership Meeting

April 1, 2019 

6:00 Meet and Greet  Members are welcome to bring a snack to share.

6:30 Program begins

Ramsey Regional Ag Center 

140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville, TN 

Our speaker will be Nathan Brand, discussing Herbal Tinctures and Beverages. 

Nathan is the chef at the forthcoming restaurant Timber! in Johnson City. Drawn to Johnson City by its natural beauty and budding food scene, he is seeking to bring a fresh perspective to the food of East Tennessee, focusing on building local community and serving the finest local ingredients at their peak. Nathan's interest in native foraged and gardened herbs and plants has led him on a quest to create a local amaro, a traditional style of Italian bittersweet liqueur. Join us as Nathan leads us through a tasting of traditional amaro, discusses his favorite plants for use in these traditional beverages, and outlines the ways these beautiful spirits can be both restorative and celebratory.

CEU Opportunities

Tree Grafting Workshop

Tuesday, March 19

1:30

6:30

Ron Ramsey AG Center, Blountville

There will be two identical grafting classes on this day.  One will be held at 1:30 p.m. and the second one at 6:30 p.m.  Please see letter and information sheet  for more information about available root stock.  For additional information or to register, please contact the Extension office or email Chris Ramsey (cwramsey@utk.edu). 

Celebrating Trees: Right Tree, Right Place

Thursday, March 21  

Call 423-574-1919 for time and to pre-register for the program.

Ron Ramsey Ag Center, Blountville

We will be holding our annual Celebrating Trees: Right Tree, Right Place Program on Thursday, March 21 at the Ron Ramsey Ag Center near the Tri-Cities Airport. BTES of Bristol, TN will be sponsoring a catered lunch for the workshop. Evergreen of Johnson City, Hedgewood Tree Care, and the East TN Nursery Association will also be providing sponsorship for this event.
This tree workshop will feature information on pesticides, insects, diseases, proper planning with power lines in mind, and other great information about trees in the home landscape. The program will also offer 5 pesticide points for commercial pesticide applicators.

Garden Faire

Friday, April 19 9:30 - 6:00

Saturday, April 20 9:30 - 5:00  

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

Abingdon VA

Tickets $6.00 per day

The Washington County Virgina Master Gardeners sponsor this event. There are multiple seminars for CEUs, as well as workshops, a garden marketplace, plants advice and door prizes. See website for more information.

Photo Highlights from the Recognition Dinner

Master Gardeners who volunteered 100 - 200 hours during 2018.

Master Gardeners who volunteered 200 - 300 hours during 2018.

Volunteers with over 300 hours.

Certified Master Gardeners - Recognized for one year of service.

VIP Master Gardeners- Recognized with a pin for three years of service. 

Lifetime Master Gardeners - Recognized for ten years of service, receiving a lifetime name badge. 

Honored for 15 years of service - Lloyd Grimm 

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

3/04  See Chris' Column "Tree Programs Scheduled" to learn about upcoming seminars and CEU opportunities.

2/11 How to win the war with crabgrass: See Chris' Column for the timely article "Crabgrass Free Lawn."

1/21  A variety of programs and workshops sponsored by the Extension Office will be offered in the upcoming months. See Chris' Column "Winter and Spring Educational Opportunities"  for more details.