University of Georgia

A website from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Cultivate Walton

Home

UGA Extension Master Gardener Logo with collage of pictures showing projects by the Master Gardeners of Walton county.

Walton County Extension Master Gardeners

Growing Knowledge. Growing Community.

The Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program is a volunteer training program offered through the county offices of UGA Extension. Through this program individuals are trained and certified in home horticulture, gardening, and related areas. In turn these individuals volunteer their expertise and services under the direction of the Extension Agent. Master Gardeners educate the public about the benefits of a healthy environment and through horticultural projects that benefit the community.

Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers bring the latest horticultural information and practices from the world of research to their communities. In Walton County we work with UGA Extension to share consumer horticulture programming about selection and care of plants for ornamental value, recreation, and home food production. We trained our first class of Walton County Master Gardeners in 2008 and since then have continued to grow our membership, knowledge, and community involvement.

Service to the Community

Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers spend 13 weeks in the classroom and on field trips to learn aspects of horticulture when they are in training. After passing an exam they must spend 50 hours of volunteer service on projects in their communities before becoming certified. This is preparation for the central focus of being a Master Gardener—volunteering in the community.

In Walton County, our volunteer activities include:

  • Answering home garden questions through the “Master Gardener Help Desk” and other “Ask A Master Gardener” events
  • Providing gardening information and educational resources at the Monroe Farmers Market.
  • Creating and maintaining demonstration gardens that showcase good gardening practices while providing beauty, comfort, and food for the community.
  • Providing gardening education for children through programs and hands-on activities.
  • Maintaining a public seed library to encourage gardening and seed sharing.
  • Growing and selling vegetables and ornamental plants through our annual plant sales.
  • Presenting gardening programs and how-to workshops for community organizations.
  • Sharing gardening information through local media throughout the year.