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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.
An orientation session will be held at 5:30 PM on July 23, 2024 at the Franklin Parish Library Learning Center.
Classes will be held at the LSU AgCenter Scott Research and Extension Center in Winnsboro, LA beginning September 19, 2024, from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
The weekly course will begin Thursday, September 19th with the 6th and final course on October 23rd. The final will be administered on Thursday, October 21st.
For more information, please contact the local LMG coordinator, Marcie Wilson at 318-766-3769 or MMWilson@agcenter.lsu.edu
Classes will begin August 7 and run through November 20, 2024.
Most classes will be held at the Tangipahoa Parish Extension Office in Amite, LA from 9:00 AM to noon.
Detailed class information and the application can be found here: Louisiana Master Gardener Volunteer Course Planned for Tangipahoa Parish.
Classes will be held Wednesdays from 9:00 AM – Noon, and will run from August 7th through November 6th
The classes will be held at the Southeaster Livingston Center, 9261 Florida Blvd, Walker, LA 70785
For more information or to be considered for the 2025 training class, please send a request to CRobertson@agcenter.lsu.edu
The upcoming St Tammany LMG training will take place August 1 through November 14, 2024.
Class meetings will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Classes will be held at the St. Tammany Parish Extension Office (1301 N. Florida Street, Covington, LA 70433)
For more information or to be considered for the 2025 training class, please send a request to wafton@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held every Thursday in August, September, and October, beginning on August 1st
The classes will be held at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center, 2206 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA
A fee of $275 and a background check will be required for those who are accepted and choose to enroll in the program.
For more information about the 2025 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.
Classes are scheduled for August 1- November 7, 2024.
Classes will be held at the West Feliciana Parish Extension Office (10032 West Feliciana Parkway, St. Francisville, LA 70775)
Classes will meet on Thursdays from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm.
The deadline to register is May 31, 2024.
For more information, please visit www.lsuagcenter.com/FelicianaMG for an online application or contact Jessie Hoover at jhoover@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225-683-3101.
Classes will be held from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm on Tuesday mornings, August 6 through the end of October.
Classes are held at Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, LA.
For more information contact Mariah Simoneaux at MJSimoneaux@agcenter.LSU.edu.
Classes will be held from the beginning of August and running through October.
Classes are scheduled for every Thursday from 5:30 pm- 8:30 pm at the Rapides Parish LSU AgCenter Extension Office.
For more information, please contact Molly Lyles at (318)767-3964 or mlyles@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes for residents of
Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes are scheduled for Tuesday evenings from
5-7 PM at Docville Farm (5124 E. St. Bernard Hwy. Violet, LA) and begin June 11
and end on August 13th.
To receive an application please email atimmerman@agcenter.lsu.edu. Applications are due May 15th.
Classes are scheduled to begin Tuesday, June 18th, and will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursday for 17 class periods.
Class location is in the Calcasieu Parish LSU AgCenter, 7101 Gulf Hwy., Lake Charles, LA.
Class fees are $175.00.
For more information, please contact Robert Turley at RTurley@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the Winn Parish Extension Office.
Classes are tentatively scheduled to begin mid- to late-February 2024.
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 Natchitoches Parish Extension Office (624 2nd Street).
Class meeting times still being decided, but the first class will be held Monday, April 1, 2024.
For more information, contact Natchitoches Agent, Randall Mallette, at 318-357-2224 or RMallette@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Class meeting location is the Pointe Coupee Extension Office.
Classes begin March 13, 2024, and run through early July.
Classes are held on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
For more information, contact Alli Decell at ASpillman@agcenter.lsu.edu or call the Pointe Coupee Extension Office at 225-638-5533.
Class meeting location is still TBD – either Red River Research Station or Red River Wildlife Refuge.
Classes begin January 25, 2024, and run through late March or early April.
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.
Classes will be held at the LSU AgCenter Office in Raceland (LSU AgCenter-Lafourche, 115 Texas Street, Raceland, LA 70394).
Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 9 – February 1, 2024. Classes are held from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
For more information, contact class coordinator, Cherie Roger at CRoger@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Classes will be held at the Rosepine Research Station.
Classes begin on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
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