During National Volunteer Week, we are shining a light on Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers and their hard work. Extension agents shared how MGEVs have a positive impact in their communities through their volunteer projects. Here’s a look at how MGEVs are pouring into communities in Fulton County.
GROWL Garden
The GROWL Community Garden, coordinated by the South Fulton County Master Gardeners, serves as a welcoming space for both new and experienced gardeners to learn, grow, and connect. In addition to providing hands-on gardening opportunities, the garden partners with organizations such as Food Well Alliance and the Atlanta Botanical Garden to host a variety of educational programs. Through these collaborations and ongoing community engagement, the garden and Master Gardeners have become a trusted local resource for horticultural knowledge and support.
Habitat for Humanity – 2026 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project
The Central Fulton Master Gardeners organization has been supervising the landscaping of all Habitat for Humanity homes in Fulton County for many years. This involves developing landscaping plans that are used at Habitat home builds and guiding groups of volunteers in installing shrubs, trees, and sod on the days that homes are dedicated to their new owners. Last year we completed our 500th house.
This year, Fulton County MGEVs are helping with the 2026 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project – Each year the Carter Family sponsors one major build around the world and chose Atlanta for 2026. They will bring 700 volunteers and finish 24 homes in five days, utilizing the experience of our local Habitat staff and our Master Gardeners. It is a huge responsibility and an amazing opportunity for our MGEVs to support this international project.
North Fulton Speakers Bureau
With over one million residents in Fulton County, our MGEVs receive many speakers’ bureau requests from garden clubs, neighborhood associations, faith organizations, and more. The North Fulton Master Gardeners have a streamlined speaker request process with speaker bios and suggested topics on their website. Our speakers’ bureau project leader is meticulous about submitting EARs to Extension agents.
From January to April 2026, North Fulton Master Gardeners have already given at least 14 presentations in the North Fulton area. Topics include tree planting, forest pandemics, perennials for sun and shade, growing lavender, vegetable gardening, keystone species of eastern forests, pollinator gardening, native plants, and more.
-information provided by Gabrielle LaTora and Norlethia Harris, UGA Extension, Fulton County
