The Northeast Tennessee Master Gardener Association is group of trained volunteers who assist the University of Tennessee Extension in the counties of Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter and Unicoi. They provide education in home horticulture for the community members. The volunteers also organize and maintain garden projects throughout the region. The Master Gardener volunteer program allows individuals to dedicate their time and talents to enhancing the quality of life for citizens in the region using the science and art of horticulture.



NETMGA General Meeting

Monday, August 7

New Extension Building

140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville

6:00 Networking – Feel free to bring a covered dish to share.

6:30 Program begins

Jack Woodworth will be speaking about seed-saving techniques. Woodworth and his wife Andrea have owned and operated Ziegenwald Dairy on Possum Creek Road, Gate City, since 1993.

Today the farm thrives as a Grade A dairy with around 50-60 dairy goats to milk, a couple of horses, Jacob sheep, a pig, chickens, guinea and peafowl, rabbits, and an assortment of cats and dogs.

Jack is also a seed saver, and raises heirloom seed for a local seed company. He provides his seeds for sale seasonally at local farmers markets. The Woodworths also sell various goat milk cheeses, soaps, baked bread and eggs at farmers markets in the area.

NEW Sullivan County Extension Location

Chris Ramsey and the Extension Office staff are now located in their new offices at 140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville TN 37617.  The new telephone number is 423-574-1919. 

Do you want to become a Master Gardener?

Mark your calendar! New classes will begin in September.

The fall classes will be offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning September 5 and ending October 31. They will be held in Blountville at the new Extension Office Building.

For more details, or to get your name on the list, contact Chris Ramsey.

423‐279-2723  cwramsey@utk.edu

Changes for Reporting Hours

Starting in 2017, Master Gardeners should combine the ACT categories into one Service Hour category.  There is no need to tally Administration, Community Service, and Teaching hours as separate categories. The required number of Service Hours (formerly ACT hours) remains the same: 40 for interns and 25 for Certified Master Gardeners.  The CEU requirement will remain at 8 hours for Interns and Certified Master Gardeners.

Lifetime Master Gardeners will now be required to invest 15 hours per year in Service Hours and/or CEUs.  Note these three examples:  (1) 15 Service Hours and no CEUs,  or  (2) a combination of Service Hours and CEUs totaling 15  or  (3) no Service Hours and 15 CEUs.  (Of course, more hours in either category are encouraged and appreciated, and should be reported!)  Lifetime Master Gardeners will begin recognition of service at 10 years, with additional recognition at the 15, 20, and 25 year levels.

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

6/19  Livestock owners will learn valuable information in Chris's Column. See the article "Forage Nitrates and Poisonous Plants."

5/29  Future Master Gardeners: Read "2017 Master Gardener Classes Set" in Chris's Column for all the information you need to enroll in this exciting and rewarding program!

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