The Louisiana Master Gardener™ program was started in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1994 as a means of extending the educational outreach of the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

Anyone with a willingness to learn and desire to help others can become a Louisiana Master Gardener™. Volunteers should be interested in horticulture, willing to help people, outgoing, flexible, dependable, unbiased and open-minded. Previous volunteer work and good verbal skills are desirable.

The Louisiana Master Gardener™ program is a service and educational activity offered by the LSU AgCenter. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet the educational needs of home gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers.

Can You Dig It? is the newsletter of the Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners. Master Gardener Kathy Love, the editor of this publication, seeks submissions of articles, recipes and other information of interest to our organization and the gardening public.

Master Gardener Debbie Stockstill, the editor of this monthly newsletter, seeks submissions of articles and other information of interest to the organization and the gardening public.

Information on upcoming events, programs, workshops and classes for Louisiana Master Gardeners in Lafayette Parish and also for the general public that may be interested in becoming a Master Gardener.

The Second Annual Fall Heirloom Bulb Sale presented by the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners

A list of approved projects and activities of the Northwest La. Master Gardeners.

The Seedling is the newsletter of the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners. Master Gardener Sara Burroughs, the editor of this bi-monthly publication, seeks submissions of articles, recipes and other information of interest to our organization and the gardening public.

Current application for the La-Terre Master Gardener program.

The following link will direct you to online horticulture publications.

List of Louisiana Master Gardener Extension volunteer programs with contact information for each.

Use this form to type LMG names when ordering name badges. If this order is for an LMG class, email the list to the state office. If this order is for extra LMG name badges, complete the Paw Prints Order Form and submit directly from the parish to Paw Prints. Please copy the name list and email to the state office so when badges are delivered to the Hort. Dept., Amy will know where to mail them.

Order form for EXTRA Louisiana Master Gardener name badges -- to be submitted directly by parish Extension office.

Order form for state Louisiana Master Gardener program fee.

Use this form when ordering LMG certificates for a graduating class.

Brief explanation of all the Volunteer Activities listed in the pull-down menu for reporting LMG Volunteer Service Hours.

This is a form to be used by those without Internet access. The form used to report both Continuing Education hours and Volunteer Service hours, along with the impact statement and people contacted.

Helpful information for writing an impact statement when reporting your LMG volunteer service hours.

The form must be completed by all Master Gardeners so their information can be entered into the Reporting System.

This document answers several FAQs you may have. Please read if you are experiencing difficulty with reporting your volunteer effort or to help refresh specific aspects about the reporting system.

Description of the annual Haynesville Celebration of Butterflies

Listing of public gardens in Louisiana

This is a list of plant societies and garden-related groups in Louisiana.

Specialty Nurseries & Plant Growers in Louisiana

This is a listing of links to currently offered LSU AgCenter horticultural and related online publications. Last updated April 23, 2008

This report describes the statewide impact of the Louisiana Master Gardener™ Extension Volunteer Program. Highlights are listed for selected parishes.

Statewide report with individual parish LMG program highlights.

Report displays volunteer information as reported by 21 parish programs.

Use this form to record telephone calls received by LMG extension volunteers.

Defines Louisiana Master Gardener volunteer responsibilities.

As a Master Gardener, you have volunteered to do work related to horticulture for your local Extension office. A list of suggestions is included.

After completing the course, Master Gardeners are required to volunteer at least 40 hours of service in the parish Extension office or in the community. The volunteer activities are coordinated through the parish Extension office.

As you know, volunteers are not paid with money, but we hope that the gratitude of your fellow paid workers in the Extension office and the district and state staff will help you feel that your work is appreciated.

If you have the desire, commitment and time to learn and want to put your knowledge and skills to work through volunteer service, then apply for admission to the Master Gardener program.

The 2009 LMG State Conference will be May 21-24 (Memorial Day Weekend) in Kenner, La., at the Hilton New Orleans Airport.

Report displays volunteer information as reported by parish programs.

There are currently 14 active Louisiana Master Gardeners in the Felicianas. They were all trained through the East Baton Rouge program, but they have been involved with several service and educational programs in the Felicianas.

Learn how to garden in harmony with nature by practicing environmentally friendly and sustainable gardening techniques appropriate for our New Orleans climate. Join local horticultural experts for a full day of presentations and a panel discussion on this increasingly popular trend in home gardening

The dues for 2008-09 are $15.00. Please make checks payable to NLAMGA.

Official forms published by Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans follow:

Official bylaws of the Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans, Incorporated

Current Application for the Lafayette Parish Louisiana Master Gardener Program.

The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners present a series of lectures-World of Gardening Lecture Series- on various gardening topics. These one day events are free and open to the public although pre-registration is requested.

2009 Louisiana Master Gardener State Conference to be held in Kenner, LA at the Hilton New Orleans Airport, May 21-24.

Training for the Louisiana Master Gardener program in the Greater New Orleans area will be held June 2 - July 23, 2008.

The LSU AgCenter offers home gardeners opportunities to develop their skills and share their knowledge with others through participation in the Louisiana Master Gardener program.

Photos of Master Gardeners doing what we love to do.

Official reports of the Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans appear below.

Forms available to the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners.

The conservatory is a two-story glass structure with palm trees, orchids, bromeliads and other tropical plants.

The Liberty Garden was constructed to honor local firemen and policemen who lost their lives in the line of duty as well as others who lost their lives in the 9/11 bombing in New York City.

The Pioneer Heritage Center is a living museum located on the campus of LSU Shreveport.

The home and outlying buildings will be renovated to depict what they looked like in the 1800s. It is the job of the Louisiana Master Gardeners to assist in renovating the landscape to resemble as closely as possible what the grounds looked like then.

The Moess Center for the Arts & City Farm in Minden, La., is the site of several activities of the Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners. Labs for the Master Gardener classes are held here. Students enjoy a little fresh air and sun as they learn everything from compost making to pruning to collecting insects.

Apply for the Louisiana Master Gardener training program in Greater New Orleans. You must be a resident of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines or St. Bernard parish.

Frequently Asked Questions about the LA Master Gardener training program in greater New Orleans

The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Association has completed the first phase of a project to enhance the gardens at the Randle T. Moore Center, a majestic home built in the 1920s and now a senior citizens center. And they showed off their work at an open house on May 9.

Master Gardeners are people just like you and me who love gardening and have a desire to share with others. The Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program that trains people in horticulture in exchange for a return of 40 hours of volunteer service dedicated back into the program.

Trails & Trellises is a garden tour planned for the spring of 2008 by the Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners. Several gardens in the Minden area will be featured as well as two lectures presented by gardening personality, Felder Rushing.

Events and activities for March, 2007.

General gardening tips, reminders and information on how to become a Louisiana Master Gardener Extension Volunteer is provided.

The Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans assist the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard by supporting and volunteering for a variety of community gardening projects.

The La-Terre Master Gardeners Association is a volunteer organization under the direction of the LSU AgCenter and our local Cooperative Extension Service.

La-Terre Master Gardeners are active in many projects and activities.

Learn how to protect your plants when a freeze threatens and review a list of the cold-tolerant plants commonly grown in Louisiana.

La-Terre Master Gardeners held their annual awards ceremony on August 17, 2007. Several master gardeners received awards for their outstanding work.

February in New Orleans for many is all about Mardi Gras, but for the gardeners among us it begins our transition from winter to spring.

Solicited funds enabled hurricane Katrina and Rita impacted LA Master Gardener Programs the opportunity to help in their community's recovery effort.

Information on Le Tour des Jardins 2008

The JMG Program is an innovative youth gardening project that is modeled after the adult Master Gardener Program.

Buds & Blooms provides educational seminars for the gardening public.

2008 Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener classes will begin a new session in late January.

Special events planned by the Master Gardeners of Gardeners of Greater New Orleans.

La-Terre Master Gardener, Donna Bucci, participated in the St. Mary Parish 4-H Fun Day.

The 2007 Louisiana Master Gardeners are well prepared for the upcoming year as volunteer horticulture educators. After 17, 3-hour long classes, 3 horticulture tours and 1 major final exam, they graduated on November 1, 2007.

Learn what inspired this passionate Metairie gardener to become a Louisiana Master Gardener.

Eight classes have graduated from the La-Terre Master Gardener program.

List of garden centers in the Greater New Orleans area that have reopened since Katrina. It includes addresses and hours of operation.

These are the forms used by La-Terre Master Gardeners.

Our by-laws contain the rules and regulations for the NELMGA.

Louisiana Master Gardeners have prepared perennial beds in front of the office at the park and at the entrance to the park.

Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners help with a variety of 4-H projects.

A teaching garden is being put in at Union Elementary School in Doyline.

Louisiana Master Gardeners, in conjunction with T.G.'s Nursery in Minden, are installing a butterfly garden at Meadowview Nursing Home for the residents' enjoyment.

The background, guiding principles, NELMG's involvement in the program, the layout of plants, the future and the project team members are covered in this article.