The 2018 Big Spring/UT Extension Greene County Master Gardener classes will begin on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 and continue through May 15th  (there are snow dates built into this schedule). All sessions held on Tuesday evenings from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., at the Greene County UT Extension Office. The fee for the program is $175.00, which includes an extensive 800 plus page Master Gardener Textbook, your name badge, hand lens, and other related materials. Two partial scholarships awarded on an as needed basis.  Apply HERE!

Tennessee Master Gardeners (TMG's) are trained volunteers who help the UT Extension Office provide information and educate the public in home horticulture.  Prospective TMG’s attend 40 hours of horticultural classes and are required to volunteer 40 hours of community service through the Extension Office to complete their training. The University of Tennessee sponsors the Tennessee Master Gardener Program.  See schedule HERE...

The main goal of the Master Gardener program is to enhance the availability of horticultural information and to improve the quality of life within community gardens and landscapes through educational programs. These volunteers aid the UT Extension Office by managing the Master Gardener lab located at the UT Extension Office.  They provide requests for UT horticultural information; establish and maintain demonstration gardens throughout the county; work with the handicapped, youth, the elderly (as well as aiding other special groups in the community), and design and implement community involvement projects.  They also coordinate educational Master Gardener programs for the public on various horticultural related topics.  
 
Some programs the Big Spring Master Gardeners are currently involved with include the Boys and Girls Club Demonstration Garden, New Hope Cemetery Restoration and Landscape Project, and the Tabernacle Mission Soup Kitchen Demonstration Garden located at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church.  They also participate in the local county fair, Kid’s Day on the Farm, and various venues throughout the county promoting horticulture projects.  They host a plant sale consisting primarily of heirloom tomatoes and herbs each spring, and a “Farm 2 Fork” in the summer promoting locally grown food products.   They also attend various educational demonstrations and conferences throughout the year to facilitate individual leadership growth and enhance the educational experience for the overall organization. 

This program is open to anyone wishing to attend regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications, as well as a class schedule can be picked up at the UT Extension Office or printed from the website below. Applications accepted through December 1, 2017.  Full payment expected by December 31, 2017, upon acceptance into class.  Contact Melody Rose, Master Gardener Coordinator/UT Extension Agent, at (423) 798-1710. 

www.bsmga.com

Please join us on October 30 from 11 AM to 2 PM for a hands-on produce safety workshop on post-harvest handling and sanitation. Whether you are new to growing or an experienced grower, there will be something for everyone! The workshop will include a FREE lunch and items related to post-harvest handling and sanitation to take home and begin using on your farm!

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ASSURE WE HAVE ENOUGH FOOD AND RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR EVERYONE. Please register here and see the attached flyer for more information.

This will be the first workshop in a series of six across the state on a variety of produce safety topics.

Please find more information about all six here. 

Happy fall y'all!

This year UT Extension is taking part in the scarecrow contest that gives businesses and organizations the chance to show off their crafty side. It's also a great opportunity to visit your local Extension office! Voting starts October 3rd and runs through October 22nd. Please submit your votes at the email below and include the entry number #1 to vote for us!

Scarecrowsofmain17@gmail.com