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.



COVID 19 GUIDELINES 

Since the Master Gardeners are affiliated with the University of Tennessee, we are required to follow their guidelines regarding COVID 19 restrictions.

The UT System encourages employees and all members of the university community to get vaccinated and educate themselves about CDC guidance. Consistent with CDC guidance, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or social distance on campus, or in university buildings, outside of a healthcare setting.

If an individual chooses not to vaccinate, the CDC encourages that they continue to wear masks and distance for their own protection. Any individual may choose to wear a mask on campus, regardless of their vaccination status.

NETMGA Membership Meeting

Monday, August 2, 2021   

6:30 pm 

Roseland Building at Exchange Place

4812 Orebank Road, Kingsport 

The speaker is Earl Hockin and he will be presenting a program on Fall Gardening.  Afterward, we will take a tour of their Master Gardener maintained gardens.

We will not be serving food but members can bring bottled water and individual packaged snacks.

NEW Master Gardener Classes

Beginning Thursday, August 5

NETMGA will be offering the new Master Gardener classes beginning on Thursday August 5. Classes will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – noon and run through November. 

Meeting location will be at the Ron Ramsey Agricultural Center in Blountville.

Course fee of $185 includes a manual and handouts.

Topics and speakers are listed in the 2021 Master Gardener class schedule pdf below. 

Application form is due by July 30, 2021 and should be mailed to: 

Sullivan County Extension

140 Spurgeon Lane
Blountville, TN 37617

For more info call (423)574-1919 or email abelche4@utk.edu

Click here to see Earl Hockins' interview on WJHL Daytime Tri-Cities TV program describing the new Master Gardener classes.

Click here to see Karen Rowell's interview on WJHL Daytime Tri-Cities TV program describing the new Master Gardener classes.

Statewide Tennessee Master Gardener Conference

July 9 - 11, 2022

Kingsport, Tennessee

NETMGA is proud to be hosting the next statewide Master Gardener Conference, to be held June 9 - 11, 2022.  Master Gardeners from across the state will be joining us for three days of speakers, workshops and tours.  NETMGA members are hard at work preparing for this exciting event.

The next planning session will be on September 9 at 1:00 at the Ron Ramsey Ag Center.

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. 

Friday Focus from UT Extension Master Gardeners for 2021

This series is for Tennessee Master Gardeners ONLY!

Our Friday Focus series continues this year (with some pretty cool surprises in store for you throughout the year). 
The dates are:
January 29th - Home Fruit in Murfreesboro
March 26th - Botanic Gardens in Nashville
May 7, 14, 21, 28 - TN State Park Spotlight Tours
July 23rd - Turf and Cut Flowers
September 24th - Arboretums
November 19th - Plants of the Season

Click to Register

Third Thursdays from UT Extension Master Gardeners

The state Tennessee Extension Master Gardener (TEMG), Fruit & Veggie, and Sustainable Landscape Teams are joining together to offer in-depth (one hour) gardening classes (open for both Master Gardeners AND the general public).  Join us on the following Thursdays:

May 20th - Home Fruit and Vegetables
June 24th - Ornamentals
July 15th - Home Fruit and Vegetables
August 19th - Ornamentals
October 21st - Live from Opryland Conservatory

Click to Register

Melody's Monday Musings for 2021

Melody Rose, County Extension Agent for Greene County, will be hosting a wide variety of horticultural information sessions during 2021.  Click on the link below to see the list of sessions (both Zoom and non-Zoom sessions).  Registration is required, but is free.

Link to Monday Musings.

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

7/23/21  Chris asks "Got weeds in your pond?" and he offers solutions to the annoying problem in the Pond Weed document in Chris's Column.

7/03/21 Sullivan County UT-TSU Extension will be offering great educational programs beginning in late summer. See Chris' Column for details in the "Upcoming Programs" article. 

6/12/21  Chris offers advice for controlling weeds in pastures and hayfields. See Chris' Column.