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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 29 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 Webster Parish Extension Office.
Classes are tentatively scheduled to begin June 17th and run through September 2nd.
Classes will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
For more information, contact class coordinator, John Monzingo at 318-371-1371or JMonzingo@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the Sabine Parish Extension Office.
Classes are tentatively scheduled to begin March 26, 2025.
Classes will be held Wednesday mornings from 9:30 until approximately noon or a little after.
For more information, contact class coordinator, Chris Pearce at 318-256-3406 or TPearce@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the Winn Parish Extension Office.
Classes are tentatively scheduled to begin March 10, 2025.
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 meet at the Ouachita Parish AgCenter Office, 704 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA
Classes will be held on Monday evenings, beginning at 5:00 PM (February 10 – March 24, 2025)
An Orientation Session will be held February 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM
For more information, contact class coordinator, Markaye Russell at 318-323-2251 or MRussell@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Class meeting location – Red River Research Station (210 Research Station Dr. Bossier City LA, 71112)
Classes begin January 16, 2025, and run through the end of March.
Classes are held on Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
For more information or to sign up for the 2025 class waiting list, contact Mark Wilson at MAWilson@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Applications are also online at: 2025 Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Application.
Classes will be held at the LSU AgCenter Office in Raceland (LSU AgCenter-Lafourche, 115 Texas Street, Raceland, LA 70394).
An orientation session will be held on December 5, 2024, for those interested in taking the Master Gardener class.
Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 7 – January 30, 2025. Classes are held from 9:00 am – noon and 1:00 - 3:30 pm.
The deadline to apply is November 18, 2024.
For more information, contact class coordinator, Cherie Roger at 985-873-6495 or CRoger@agcenter.lsu.edu.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture