The Master Gardener Program is offered by the University of Tennessee Extension. The Program trains and engages with volunteers to provide the public with research-based information on lawn and garden topics. TEMGs are volunteers who have a love of plants and horticulture coupled with Extension training to equip them to teach and assist Tennessee residents. These volunteers work in partnership with their counties to expand the educational outreach. 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, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener questions, 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.

June Membership Meeting

Monday, June 1

This off-site meeting will feature a demonstration by Melody Rose on dividing plants and Karen R will share information about her interest in Purple Martins.  More details to be announced.

CEU OPPORTUNITIES

SULLIVAN COUNTY EXTENSION 

Watch email for more info on NETMGA  and local sponsored events

 2026 UT Extension Horticulture May Food Production Series AND Friday Office Hours Sign-Up

May 5,12,19,26   May Small Space Food production Lunch and Learn Zoom sessions

May 27 – 29   State Conference in Knoxville

June 9   Fruits of the Backyard Field Day in Spring Hill

June 12   Office Hours Live Diagnostic Visits via Zoom

July 10   Office Hours Live Diagnostic Visits via Zoom

August 14   Office Hours Live Diagnostic Visits via Zoom

August 24-25 Fall Gardeners Conference in Crossville 

September 11 Office Hours Live Diagnostic Visits via Zoom

2026 NETMGA INTERN PRESENTATIONS

Monthly on selected Mondays

6:00 p.m.

Ron Ramsey Ag Extension Office

Each 2026 Master Gardener intern will be developing and presenting a program on a relevant topic.  NETMGA members are encouraged to attend these programs to support our interns and to learn more about their specialized topics.

Monday, June 8th

Planting Redbuds in the Backyard by Chris Crane

Inviting Garden Helpers by Sharon Kieta

Climate and Microclimates in NETN and in Your Backyard by Susan Crane

Monday, July 20th

The Common Bees of TN and Eastern North America by Pam Bork

The TN Coneflower by Amy Long

Everyday Upcycle - Common Trash to Garden Treasure by Megan Tewell

Monday, August 10th

Bee Balm: The Garden Powerhouse by Benjamin Staton

Rosemary: The Herb That Does It All by Charmane Goforth

From Mild to Wild - Exploring the World of Peppers by Denise Milhorn

Monday, September 28th

Plants as the Source of Cutaneous Disease by Jenn Kletsov

Detering Wildlife by Karen Kite

Invasive Plants by Kathy Bedbury

Monday, October 19th

Worm Composting by Stephanie Foster

The Wonders of Sunflowers by Esther Petrousek-Beck

Monday, November 16th

Blueberry Bushes by Shelly Baggett

Native Plant Species for Culinary Purposes by Devyn Schneck

Trees by Marissa Kirchenbauer

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

March 5 - May 21 Carver Park Jr Gees 

      SignUpGenius in April 16 email 

May 11 STEM Field Day

       SignUp Genius in April 16 email 

May 16 Kids at the Bay

        Details in May 5 email 

June 6  Jonesborough Garden Tour

        SignUpGenius in April 16 email

Welcome to the 2026 Master Gardener Class

Pictured L-R: Sharon Kieta, Megan Tewell, Shelly Baggett,

Charmane Goforth, Pam Bork, Devyn Schneck, 

Denise Hanson Milhorn, Esther Petrousek-Beck, Chris Crane, 

Kathy Bedbury, Amy Litra Long,Stephanie Foster, Susan Crane,

Jenn Kletsov, Karen Kite, Marissa Kirchenbauer, and Benjamin Staton (elected as 2026 Intern Representative by his peers).

Congratulations on finishing the course. We look forward to working with you on NETMGA projects and events. Enjoy the Journey!

Successful Master Gardener Plant Sale

The 2025 Master Gardener Class organized a plant sale in conjunction with the Exchange Place Spring Garden Fair.  This was a very successful event with proceeds going toward the Master Gardener mission to provide the public with research-based information on horticultural topics. Thanks to all who donated plants and organized and worked at the event. Thanks to the shoppers who stopped by and supported the program by purchasing plants!  

READ ALL ABOUT IT

4/17 See the Agents' Column for  "They are not Bumblebees", a commentary on carpenter bees.  

3/27 See the Agents' Column for a discussion on the importance of

soil pH.

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