The South Carolina Master Gardener Program could be for you!
LCMGV Website: Education / Become a Master Gardener
Do you like the feel of the earth between your fingers, the fragrance of growing flowers, the taste of homegrown tomatoes? Do you want to share your interest in gardening with others? Become a Master Gardener! Discover who LCMGV is and learn more about the Lexington County Master Gardener Volunteers program sponsored through Clemson University in South Carolina. The Master Gardener Program is a completely volunteer-based development program offered by Clemson University Extension Service and is designed to increase the availability of horticultural information and improve the quality of life through horticultural projects in local and state communities.
Lexington County Master Gardener Volunteers are members of our 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 Lexington County Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, persons who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through throughout the county and in the Lexington County Extension office to provide horticultural research-based information to their communities. Volunteers continue building their garden education through continuing educations programs with LCMGV each year.
BECOME A MASTER GARDENER
Becoming a South Carolina Master Gardener is a two-step process.
Step 1: Pass the Training Class
Participants receive at least 40 hours of intensive, practical horticultural training during the Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course (MGVTC). Topics covered in the MGVTC include soils and plant nutrition, entomology, plant physiology, plant pathology, vegetable gardening, lawn management, culture of woody ornamentals, and problem solving. Satisfying the instruction component requires regular classroom attendance and passing a final exam. A criminal background check is also required.
The MGVTC is offered between August 1 and December 31. Dates and times will vary by host site. If you’d like to be notified of the next MGVTC in your area, please complete this form.
Step 2: Complete Volunteer Hours
Participants must complete 40 hours of educational service to complete the initial training and earn the title “South Carolina Master Gardener.”
To maintain certification, a South Carolina Master Gardener must complete 20 hours of educational service and 10 hours of continuing education each reporting year (July 1 – June 30).
LCMGV Scholarships:
The J. Powell Smith Scholarship is available for Lexington County residents enrolling in one of the Master Gardener courses offered. The scholarship funds ($150) will help residents offset the course cost. J. Powell Smith Scholarship application is for a Lexington County resident who has been accepted and started the Master Gardener course. Click J Powell Smith Tab for Scholarship information. Scholarship is awarded following the completion of the MG class.
Happy to share information and answer any questions. Contact a Lexington County Master Gardener at info@lcmgv.org. Click here for the contact form.
This scholarship was established to honor Sam Cheatham, Clemson Extension Agent for Lexington County and coordinator of our master gardener volunteer program for 18 years. Sam is a Clemson University graduate with degrees in Zoology (1972) and Master of Agriculture in Ornamental Horticulture (1978). His career with Cooperative Extension began in Greenville, SC in 1973. From 1978 until 1982, he worked at various times in Richland, Lexington, and Kershaw counties. He came home to Lexington County in 1985 and served as county agent until his retirement in 2003. In addition to his responsibilities as county agent, Sam coordinated the master gardener volunteer program, appeared on the television show “Making it Grow”, hosted radio shows on WSCQ and WISW radio for 8 ½ years, and coordinated extension programs in commercial horticulture. Sam remains active in the Master Gardener program. He contributes to gardening education and beautification in the Lexington community.