Louisiana Master Gardener Program
The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a volunteer development program offered by the LSU AgCenter. Master Gardener volunteers are highly trained and provide proven, research-based educational programs to Louisiana residents.
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.
Becoming a Master Gardener
If you love gardening and sharing your knowledge with others, this is the course for you!
The Master Gardener Training Program is a 40-hour course required to become a LSU AgCenter Certified Master Gardener Volunteer. The training program is 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.
Under the guidance and direction of Extension agents, volunteers must complete a 40-hour training program, pass an exam and complete a 40-hour volunteer internship in order to become a certified Master Gardener. To remain active in the program, volunteers must log a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer time and a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year.
Classes for residents of Orleans and Jefferson parishes are held online each summer with evening lab instructions at the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park.
For more information, please email or call the Extension Agent for your parish:
- Orleans Parish: Dr. Joe Willis, jwillis@agcenter.lsu.edu, 504-483-9471
- Jefferson Parish: Chris Dunaway, cdunaway@agcenter.lsu.edu, 504-736-6519