CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 03/13/03

Master Gardeners devoted to learning, serving

(Editor's note: A past-tense version of this story will be on the Georgia FACES Web site after 5 p.m. Saturday.)

By Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia

It seems fitting that the special event to celebrate Master Gardener Day this year involves classes and work.

In a day-long event planned just for them at the UGA campus in Griffin, Ga., Master Gardeners will learn UGA horticulturist Terry Kelly's latest tips for growing the best vegetables.

They'll heard about the Atlanta Community Food Bank's efforts to fight hunger through community gardening. They'll get an update on the UGA Research and Education Garden on the Griffin, Ga., campus. And, yes, they'll get their hands dirty volunteering in the afternoon chores in the garden.

Governor declares Master Gardener Day

Georgia Gov. Sonny Purdue declared March 15 to be Master Gardener Day in Georgia. The day honors more than 5,000 Georgians who have earned the title.

The Georgia Master Gardener Volunteer Program is run by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It's presented across the state through UGA Extension Service county offices.

People interested in gardening or community service can sign up for the program. They get 40 hours of training from the UGA Extension Service faculty.

Once they complete the training, they use their new expertise to help with community education projects. After at least 50 hours of service through their local Georgia Extension office, they're certified as Master Gardeners.

Essential to county offices

"Our Master Gardeners do everything from make presentations to garden clubs and other civic groups to visit home gardens to help consumers with specific problems," said Marco Fonseca, the state Master Gardener program coordinator.

In some cases, Fonseca said, Master Gardeners have helped keep county extension offices open. "They answer the phones and help agents prepare for workshops," he said, "often in offices that are understaffed."

The program began in 1979. Since then, UGA has trained more than 5,000 Master Gardeners, including 500 last year.

In 2002, the value of the 1,800 active Master Gardeners gave 125,000 hours of service, at a value of more than $2 million. If you add in their travel costs, it was $2.3 million.

Plant a Row this year's project

In their special program in Griffin, the volunteers will break ground on a site where area Master Gardeners will take part in the "Plant a Row for the Hungry" campaign.

Plant a Row for the Hungry is a public service campaign of the Garden Writers Association. It urges home gardeners to plant extra vegetables and donate them to their local food bank.

Master Gardeners have taken on PAR as their 2003 statewide community project.

Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Marco T. Fonseca
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners 10/25/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio’s Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world.