The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County (MGHC) was established in April 1994. Part of the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program, MGHC operates in conjunction with and under the direction of the University of Tennessee (UT) Extension Institute of Agriculture. The UT/TSU Extension Agent for Hamilton County coordinates between UT and the MGHC.
To become a certified Master Gardener, Interns go through a 14-week training program where they learn the most current, research-based horticultural practices from water management and plant care to composting and pest control. They also earn volunteer hours working with MGHC projects. Every year MGHC members are required to fulfill required hours of volunteer service with projects in the community, as well as earning continuing education credits through classes and workshops in order to maintain their certified member status.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers from all fields of endeavor and all areas of interest. They combine a love of gardening with personal experiences plus the research-based information provided by the UT Extension with the goal to increase the availability of horticultural information and to improve the quality of life through a variety of community garden and landscape projects. Currently there are over 300 certified MGHC members.
MGHC devotes much of its time, energy and resources to supporting many urban agriculture projects throughout Hamilton County and especially within or near the city limits of Chattanooga, TN. In addition to partnering with other community groups to promote environmental and sustainable gardening practices, MGHC maintains its own project gardens, including:
- Chattanooga Area Food Bank Partnership
- Crabtree Farms Partnership
- Reflection Riding Partnership
- Alpine Crest Teaching Garden
- Battle Academy Rooftop Gardens
- Bonny Oaks Arboretum
- Chattanooga Zoo Gardens
- Green Grace Gardens & Grounds
- McCoy Farm & Garden
- Orange Grove Center Garden
- St. Alban’s Community Garden
- Tennessee Aquarium Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden
- UT Extension Raised Bed Demonstration Gardens
MGHC also offer educational opportunities to the community for people of all ages. These include:
- 3rd Saturday Gardening Class (monthly)
- Beginner/Newcomer Gardening Classes (March)
- Master Your Garden Expo (April)
- Annual Garden Tour (June)
- Hamilton County Fair (November)
MGHC reaches out to the general public with information about our events and activities, plus general gardening information through our Friends Newsletter, as well as our public Facebook page and YouTube channel. The MGHC Hotline responds to questions about gardening issues and can be contacted via phone or email. The MGHC Speakers Bureau fills requests from local garden clubs and organizations for presentations covering a wide range of gardening topics including: companion planting, container gardening, native plants & pollinator gardening, rain barrels, raised bed gardening, vegetable gardening, and many more.
MGHC Outreach booths can also be found at neighborhood markets and community events around Hamilton County from spring through fall. Master Gardeners answer gardening questions and provide information about MGHC events and activities.
MGHC offers support to Hamilton County communities through our Garden Advisors and Garden Grants programs. In addition, MGHC provides Scholarships to majors in horticultural studies at six Tennessee agricultural universities.
All of these activities are a great benefit to the Hamilton County Area. In 2020 the efforts by the MGHC amounted to:
- 26,950 hours of service and educational outreach
- 121,734 miles driven for volunteer activities
- Volunteer hours representing a value of $597,217.32 – Based on values determined by Independent Sector. Website: https://www.independentsector.org/resource/the-value-of-volunteer-time/
- Total Miles Driven Value: $55,998.02 – Based on values determined by University of Tennessee mileage reimbursement.
- Total Value to the community: $653,215.34
The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County are proud to be part of our community and strive to be a resource to those interested in gardening. We hope this information will encourage many others to join us and become part of the MGHC family.