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- Become a Louisiana Master Gardener
Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people.
What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, people who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their local Master Gardener Program Coordinator to provide horticulture-related information to their communities.
Any Louisiana resident with an interest in horticulture and a desire to volunteer for community service may apply to the Master Gardener Training Program. Master Gardeners moving from other states are evaluated on a case-by-case basis through discussion with the individual, local coordinator, and State Coordinator.
A volunteer in training is expected to complete 100 percent of the prescribed hours of instruction. If, for any reason, you need to miss a class, please visit with your local LMG coordinator regarding missed class material.
In order to retain the Louisiana Master Gardener title, individuals are required to complete a minimum of 20 volunteer service hours and six continuing education hours each year. Documentation requirements and validation of volunteer service and continuing education hours are under the supervision of the local Master Gardener Program Coordinator or individual designated by the coordinator.
The Louisiana Master Gardener training program provides a balanced, integrated, practical course in gardening. Special topics, based on Louisiana gardening needs, are part of the curriculum and involve a balance of lecture and hands-on activities. The training is provided by LSU AgCenter Extension faculty and other horticulture experts.
Classroom participation should include 100 percent attendance during the training period. If you need to miss a class session, please visit with your local LMG coordinator to make up the missed material. Class format differs by program, but most of the programs are held for three to six hours one or two days per week, and generally conducted at a parish Extension office. Upon completion of the formal coursework, participants are required to satisfactorily pass a comprehensive examination on the materials covered.
To graduate as a Master Gardener, each trainee must pass a final examination. Examinations are prepared by the local Master Gardener Program coordinator in collaboration with class instructors.
Examinations are under the direction of the local LMG coordinator. As such,
they may be open-book or closed. Final exams are designed to evaluate a trainee's
ability to retrieve information from the Louisiana Master Gardener handbook and
other horticultural resources.
A score of 70 percent or higher is needed to pass.
Louisiana offers 30 parish-level Master Gardener programs with volunteer participation in 58 parishes. LMG trainings are offered at various times during the year and at various parish Extension offices across the state.
If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you.
The base fee for participation in the Louisiana Master Gardener Program is $150.
This amount covers costs for the training manual, name badge, certificate and supporting educational materials.
Additional overhead cost may be included as determined by the local Master Gardener Program coordinator and may vary from one parish to another depending on local situations.
Classes will be held at the St. Charles Parish Extension Office located at 453 Spruce Street, Norco, LA 70079
Classes will be held every Tuesday beginning August 1 and ending October 31.
A fee of $180 and a background check will be required for those who are accepted and choose to enroll in the program.
If you have any questions or would like an application please email Gabriel LoCoco at glococo@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Applications are due by Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at close of business.
Most of the classes will be held at the LSU AgCenter office in Franklinton (1104-B Bene St.).
Classes will meet from 9:00 AM to noon, from August through November 15, 2023, with the exceptions of August 16 and October 18.
Applications are available for download from this page and are due Friday, June 16, 2023. A fee of $185 and a background check will be required for those who are accepted and choose to enroll in the program.
Contact Horticulture Agent Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson with questions. For accommodations for persons with disabilities, please inform Mary Helen of your needs when you submit your application.
Classes will be held at the LSU AgCenter office, located at 307 N Homer Street, Room 303, Ruston, LA 71270.
Classes will meet from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM every Tuesday, August 1st through Oct 17th.
Seating is limited, early application is encouraged. The course fee is $125 before July 1, 2023, $150 after July 1, 2023, which covers the cost of the manual, speakers, and Master Gardener name badge.
Registration ends July 15, 2023.
For additional information contact Bentley Fitzpatrick at 318-251-5134 or bfitzpatrick@agcenter.lsu.edu
Classes will be held at the St. Tammany Parish Extension Office located at 1301 North Florida St. Covington, LA 70433.
Class meetings will be held on a week day from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The program will run for 16 weeks starting in August and finish around mid-November.
To receive an application send contact information William Afton at wafton@agcenter.lsu.edu
Classes will be held at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center, 2206 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA
Classes will be held every Thursday beginning in August and ending in October.
A fee of $200 and a background check will be required for those who are accepted and choose to enroll in the program.
For more information about the 2023 class or to apply online, refer to the Lafayette Parish Master Gardener website, www.LPMGA.org, and select the "Become a Master Gardener" link.
Applications are due by May 31st. If you have any questions, please email Maddox Miller at mmmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the Livingston Southeastern Center on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to Noon.
Class sessions will run from August 9th through November 8th.
For more information on the Livingston Master Gardener class, please contact the program coordinator, Clark Robertson at 225-686-3020 or CRobertson@agcenter.lsu.edu
We are looking for plant people with a passion for learning and serving in the community in a leadership role!
Classes will be held at Docville Farm (5124 E. St. Bernard Highway, Violet, LA)
Class sessions will run from June 21st through August 23rd.
No prior horticultural training is necessary, we start with soil and botany for gardeners, and work up from there! All lessons have a reading, video lecture, and lab activity.
Applications are due back to the office by May 15th. For more information or a PDF of the application, please email Anna Timmerman at atimmerman@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the LSU AgCenter Calcasieu Parish Office, 7101 Gulf Hwy., Lake Charles, LA 70607-7414.
Class sessions will run June 20th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursday until August 17.
Require at least 5 applicants to have a class.
For more information, please contact the program coordinator, Robert Turley at RTurley@agcenter.lsu.edu or Ph: 337-721-4080.
Classes will be held at the Webster Parish Extension office
Class sessions will run June 13 through mid-September
For more information on the Piney Hills Master Gardener class, please contact the program coordinator, John Monzingo at 318-371-1371 or JMonzingo@agcenter.lsu.edu
Classes will be held in the Garden Study Center at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens.
Class sessions will run May 31, 2023 through August 2nd.
Class lectures will be online, but students are required to
attend in-person lab sessions each week. A morning and an evening lab session
block will be available.
For more information on the Greater New Orleans Master
Gardener Program, volunteer opportunities, or upcoming trainings, please
contact Dr. Willis at JWillis@agcenter.lsu.edu
(504-483-9471) or Mr. Dunaway at CDunaway@agcenter.lsu.edu
(504-736-6519).
Classes will be held at the Natchitoches Parish Extension Office (624 2nd Street).
Class meeting times still being decided, but the first class will be held February 21, 2023.
For more information, contact Natchitoches Agent, Randall Mallette, at 318-357-2224 or RMallette@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at Burden Botanic Gardens. Class location may move, as needed.
Class will begin Wednesday, January 11, 2023, and will run from 9:00 AM to Noon.
Due to overwhelming demand, the 2023 class is at capacity. For more information or to be placed on the waiting list, please contact Bert Hammett at AHammett@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held in Raceland.
Classes begin January 2023.
Classes are usually held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For more information, contact class coordinator, Barton Joffrion at BJoffrion@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Class meeting location is still TBD – either Red River
Research Station or Red River Wildlife Refuge.
Classes begin January 26, 2023, and run through March 30th.
Classes are held on Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The 2023 class has reached capacity and is not taking any
more applications. For more information or to sign up for the 2024 class
waiting list, contact Mark Wilson at MAWilson@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the Winn Parish Extension Office.
Classes begin January 16, 2023.
Classes are usually held on Mondays from 5:30 – 8:30 PM.
For more information, contact class coordinator, Donny Moon
at 318-628-4528 or WMoon@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the Rosepine Research Station.
Classes begin on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Classes are held on Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, and run
January through March/early April.
For more information, contact class coordinator, Keith Hawkins at 337-284-5188 or KHawkins@agcenter.lsu.edu.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture