La-Terre Master Gardeners Association

The La-Terre Master Gardeners Association, established in 2000, is a volunteer organization under the direction of the LSU AgCenter and our local Cooperative Extension Service. The Master Gardener Program began in 1972 in the state of Washington and has spread to all fifty states and several Canadian provinces.

Our LTMGA assists the Extension staff in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary and Assumption parishes in the dissemination of gardening information to the general public. In return for their commitment to the Extension Service, these volunteers receive an intensive education from the best-known experts in various horticultural fields, gaining up-to-date information to advance their gardening expertise, while at the same time allowing them to put into practice what they know and learn.

Upon completion of the program, Master Gardeners are required to complete forty hours of volunteer hours with the Cooperative Extension Service. A Master Gardener may re-certify for participation in the program for another year by committing to a minimum of twenty hours of volunteer work and six hours of approved continuing education.

LTMGA has dedicated itself to many projects which deal with horticultural education in our communities in many ways. The main project is the annual garden fair with educational programs and displays. This year (2007) will be a new venue with a new partner, Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society, Inc. Another project is LTMGA donates $100 for landscaping for each completed Habitat for Humanity house in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. We do the landscaping and train the homeowners to maintain it.