The horticulture part of UT Extension Fayette county helps provide researched-based information on topics ranging from fruits and vegetables, landscape, turf, ornamental plants, and issues related to home gardening to our community. Other services include plant and insect identification, distributing soil test kits, and schedules to plant and spray.
Programs Available
- Master Gardener
- Beginner Gardener
- Educational speaker and demonstration sessions
In 2024, we had 43 Tennessee Extension Master Gardener members who completed 4,500.13 volunteer service hours and 558.27 hours in continuing education. With the current estimated national value of the volunteer hour being $34.79, the economic impact for 2024 was $121,854.86. This is donated across 5 main project areas: Administrative and Organizational Support, Community Outreach Events, Youth Horticulture, Community Food Production and Education, and Sustainable Landscape Management, according to Independent Sector.
Each year, our dedicated Master Gardeners are instrumental in the success of several events: Fayette Cares Plant Sale, the Tree Seedling Giveaway, the Outdoor Market, and Cotton Festival. We are proud of our team members who provide hard labor to maintain “the Giving Garden” for the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse Somerville. Other ongoing projects include Fayette Cares vegetable gardens and the Somerville Library flowerbeds. The members’ efforts have gone beyond horticulture. The association donated to Fayette Academy for the Bees Bounty garden project. Volunteer hours were also earned by assisting with computerizing old records at Ames Plantation through a project named “Archives on the Web”.
Contact Information
Sydney Smith
Extension Agent
Phone: (901) 465-5233
Email: sydlcrof@tennessee.edu