Georgia Master Gardener Program

As we wrap up National Volunteer Week, we shared a blog post with a look at 2025 annual report data: https://site.extension.uga.edu/mgevp/2026/04/volunteer-week-a-piece-of-the-story/

Master Gardeners may describe themselves as big fans of plants as they volunteer their time and share their skills in support of projects in community spaces around the state, but they are so much more! In 2025, they were the energy, enthusiasm, and inspiration to over 181,000 people to connect with plants.

Master Gardeners are giving of their time and talents. Cherokee County MGEVs provide free workshops and classes, like a cut flower gardening and arranging workshop for beginners. They care for multiple demonstration gardens and harvest produce for food pantry donations. They work collaboratively and recently began utilizing a new digital tool created by a Cherokee County MGEV to track harvests, produce donations, and the completion of garden tasks. These volunteers use a range of skills to support their communities and their work is a true inspiration!

Photo Credits: Sandi Allan, Cherokee County MGEV

Volunteering & Your Health

Volunteering as an Extension Master Gardener isn’t just good for your community - it’s good for you. 🌱 Time spent gardening and teaching connects you to nature, reduces stress, keeps you active, and builds meaningful relationships. Research continues to show that giving your time and knowledge boosts both physical and mental well-being. Thank you for growing not only gardens, but healthier, happier lives... your own included! See our work in action: https://mastergardener.extension.org/impacts/

Thank You, Volunteers!
This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the incredible Extension Master Gardener volunteers who show up, dig in, and make a difference every day. 💚 Your commitment to sharing research-based knowledge helps communities grow food, steward natural resources, and create resilient, beautiful spaces. You are the heart of this work—and the reason it thrives. Thank you for your passion, your expertise, and your impact. See our work in action: https://mastergardener.extension.org/impacts/

We are celebrating more than 1,970 Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Week! Dedicated volunteers reported 159,949 volunteer service hours in 2025 as they gave tours of their demonstration gardens, taught adults and youth about plant topics, answered homeowner questions and so much more! Thank you to every volunteer and all you do to serve Georgia communities!

🌱 Seed Library Conference: Getting Started
Sat., Feb. 14,12-2 PM EST, 9-11 AM PST
Register: https://givebutter.com/2026SeedConference

Early bird registration is open for the second annual Spore to Store: Urban Mushroom Symposium on the UGA Griffin campus!

Spore to Store: Urban Mushroom Symposium 2026 Two days, three tracks, 20+ Speakers! Come join us and hear from leading experts about the latest regarding mushrooms!

Shield Your Field!
Your drain field is an essential part of your septic system, where the soil filters and treats wastewater. Protect it by not parking or driving on it, planting trees and shrubs a safe distance away to prevent root interference, and ensuring that roof drains and sump pumps direct water away from it.

In this short video from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Shield Your Field," learn about your septic system’s drainfield, including how it works, and tips to take care of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4bTQ0PQiJA

For more information on do's and don'ts for ornamental plantings on a drainfield, review this UGA Extension publication: https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1030/ornamental-plantings-on-septic-drainfields/

SepticSmart Week is an opportunity to bring attention to the importance of the care and maintenance of septic systems. Together, we can ensure our septic systems are effective and our water is clean. For more information and resources, visit EPA’s SepticSmart Week, epa.gov/septic/septicsmart-week.