Master Gardener Program | Hamilton County

The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program that serves our community through horticultural education! This program trains and certifies volunteers who provide community service via county Extension offices. Master Gardeners are trained, certified volunteers for the University of Tennessee Extension County Offices.

Program Info
Schedule
Format
FAQ
Apply to Become a Master Gardener

Applications for the 2027 Master Gardener Program will open the last week of October!

Informational Zoom Session:
- Monday, October 26th at 6:00 pm ET via Zoom
Applications open:
- Wednesday, October 28th
Class Details:
- Febuary 2nd – May 4th 2027
- Meeting in-person weekly on Tuesday mornings
- 9:30 am – 12:30 pm ET
Location:
- UT Extension Office
- 6183 Adamson Circle, Chattanooga
Cost:
- $250

2027 Master Gardener Intern Class Schedule

February 2nd	Orientation
February 9th	Welcome to TEMG & Tennessee Geography
February 16th	Evironmental Stewardship
February 23rd	Soils & Management
March 2nd	Botany & Propagation
March 9th	Vegetable Gardens
March 16th	Home Fruit
March 23rd	Entomology & Integrated Pest Management
March 30th	Pathology & Diagnostics
April 6th	Turfgrass & Weed Management
April 13th	Sustainable Design & Herbaceous Plants
April 20th	Woody Ornamentals & Trees
April 27th	Pollinators & Wildlife
May 4th	Graduation

Classroom Format

The Master Gardener intern training class combines expert instruction, hands-on learning, and independent study. Each week includes both in-person and at-home components. It can be broken down as follows:

Weekly In-Person Sessions (9:30 am – 12:30pm)

Live virtual lectures from University of Tennessee Extension experts and specialists from across the state.
Hands-on lab activities to apply concepts and build practical horticultural skills.

Weekly At-Home Learning (on your own)

Assigned chapter readings.
Brief online pre-lecture modules to introduce key concepts before class.

Participants should plan to complete the assigned readings and online modules each week in addition to attending in-person sessions.

The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program offered through the University of Tennessee Extension. Participants receive intensive horticultural education and then use that knowledge to support Extension’s educational mission through volunteer service in their communities. This is not simply a gardening class. The goal is to train volunteers who are willing to share research-based gardening information with the public and support Extension educational efforts.

Master Gardener volunteers support UT Extension by sharing research-based horticultural information with the public. Activities may include educational workshops, demonstrations, presentations, community outreach, and other approved projects that help people learn about gardening and plant care. Learn more about our local group at MGHC.org

To become a Master Gardener, you must complete the training class which is referred to as the “intern class.”

As a Master Gardener intern, you are working toward becoming a certified Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. During the intern year, participants:

Complete the required intern classroom training (40 hours – these hours are built in to the intern class)
Complete volunteer service requirements (40 hours)
Complete continuing education requirements (8 hours)

Once all requirements have been met within your first year, interns become certified Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and are eligible to continue participating in approved Master Gardener activities and projects.

Not at all – applicants range from complete beginners to highly experienced gardeners. Some individuals have recently begun gardening, while others may have decades of experience.

Successful participants are not selected based on how much they already know. Instead, we look for individuals who:

Enjoy learning.
Have an interest in plants and gardening.
Value research-based information.
Are willing to volunteer their time in service to the community.

A passion for education and willingness to learn are more important to our program than existing knowledge.

The Extension Master Gardener certification is a volunteer certification and is not a professional credential. Participants should not market, advertise, or represent themselves as professionally certified gardeners, landscapers, arborists, designers, consultants, or horticultural experts based on Master Gardener certification.

The program is designed to prepare volunteers to assist UT Extension in delivering horticultural education and outreach to the public. If you are looking for a professionally geared certification, be sure to check out our UT Certified Landscape Professional Program & Certified Lawn Care Professional Program. Those professional programs are fantastic credentials for training and to list on a resume.

Farmers, horticultural professionals, and aspiring industry professionals are welcome to apply. However, Master Gardener certification is intended for volunteer education and public service, not marketing of professional skills. Volunteers may not use their certification to advertise or promote their businesses or professional services. Likewise, paid professional work, including gardening, landscaping, and horticultural services, does not qualify for Master Gardener volunteer hours. All volunteer hours must be earned through approved Master Gardener projects or activities authorized by UT Extension.

For those whose applications are accepted into the class and successfully pay the program fee, certification requires the completion of:

Complete the required intern classroom training (40 hours – this is built into the class)
Complete volunteer service requirements (40 hours)
Complete continuing education requirements (8 hours)

Volunteer hours must be earned through approved Master Gardener projects or activities authorized in advance by UT Extension. Not every gardening activity or community service opportunity qualifies. When in doubt, obtain approval before beginning a project or counting hours.

No, the primary purpose of the Master Gardener program is horticultural education. Volunteers are encouraged to prioritize activities that teach, demonstrate, or communicate research-based gardening information rather than projects focused primarily on physical labor or routine landscape maintenance.

Prospective participants should understand that the first year is a significant commitment.

Intern Class:
- Attending in-person classes weekly
- Completing weekly assigned chapter readings
- Submitting weekly, brief online pre-lecture modules
Outside of Intern Class:
- Completing required volunteer service hours
- Participating in continuing education opportunities

Many participants find the experience rewarding, but it does require a meaningful investment of time and energy.

Interns may have a maximum of two absences during the training program. Participants who exceed the allowable number of absences may not be eligible for certification.

If unavoidable circumstances arise, individuals should communicate with Extension staff as early as possible

Volunteer service opportunities vary throughout the year and may include:

Gardening help desks and hotlines
Educational workshops
Community and demonstration gardens
Youth gardening programs
Public outreach events
Garden Expo support
Plant clinics
Community presentations
Educational booths and exhibits

Volunteer opportunities are designed to help Extension reach more citizens with research-based horticultural information while allowing volunteers to apply what they have learned. Learn more about our Hamilton County Master Gardener projects here!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the class reaches capacity. This means applications are reviewed as they are received rather than waiting until a single deadline date – so submit your application as early as possible! Once all available seats have been filled, enrollment will close for that year’s class. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend the information session and apply as early as possible. Applications are reviewed as they are received, and acceptance is based on factors such as:

Available class space
Applicant interest and goals
Commitment to volunteer service
Ability to meet program expectations

Another common question related to priority for acceptance is generally given in the following order:

Residents of Hamilton County
Next, residents of Tennessee
Last, Out-of-state applicants

Attendance at the information session is not required, but it is strongly encouraged.

The information session provides prospective applicants an opportunity to:

Learn about program expectations.
Understand certification requirements.
Ask questions.
Meet Extension staff and current Master Gardeners.
Determine whether the program is a good fit before applying.

Many questions that applicants commonly have are addressed during the information session.

This program may be a good fit if you:

Enjoy gardening and plants.
Like learning new things.
Value research-based information.
Enjoy helping others.
Want to make a positive impact in your community.
Are willing to commit time to training and volunteer service.

Anyone with an interest in gardening, horticulture, and community education is welcome to apply. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

This program may not be the best fit if you are looking for a casual gardening class with no volunteer expectations. The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program is first and foremost a volunteer development program. Participants are expected to use their training to support educational efforts and serve the community.

If your preferences or lifestyle is better aligned with classes without the volunteer commitment, we have opportunities for you too! Visit our Master Gardeners of Hamilton County website to learn more.

The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program exists to extend the educational reach of UT Extension. Volunteer service allows participants to put their training into practice while helping deliver research-based horticultural information to residents throughout the community. Volunteer service is what transforms horticultural training into a public service program and is a core component of certification.

How to Apply to Become a Master Gardener

Step 1 (optional but highly encouraged): Attend the Informational Zoom session October 26th
Step 2: Submit your application
Step 3: Applications will be reviewed
Step 4: If accepted, you will be prompted to complete a required volunteer form + pay the $250 program fee
Step 5: Once successfully received, your spot in the 2027 class will be officially reserved.

Applications will open Wednesday, October 28th 2026!

Haley Treadway

Extension Agent II, Hamilton County

423-209-8560

haleytreadway@utk.edu