2026 Master Gardener Intern Training
Tuesdays, January 27 – April 28, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cumberland County UT-TSU Extension Office
1398 Livingston Road, Crossville, TN
Fee: $200 | Capacity: 30 Interns
About the Program
The Cumberland County Master Gardener program is a volunteer service organization of the University of Tennessee Extension. The program trains community members to serve as horticulture educators. The title “Master Gardener” is conditional upon meeting the following requirements:
- Successfully completing the Master Gardener training program
- Performing and reporting 40 service hours within 12 months of completion
- Attending four (4) Master Gardeners of Cumberland County Association monthly meetings per year
- Sharing only UT-TSU Extension–approved, research-based recommendations (not home remedies)
- Not using the Master Gardener title for commercial gain or promotion
- Renewing certification annually by completing volunteer and educational requirements
Schedule
Classes begin in January 2026 and meet every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for 14 weeks. To complete the training, you must attend at least 11 of the 13 scheduled classes/programs. Please ensure you can meet this attendance requirement before applying.
| Date | Topic/Chapters | Instructors |
| Jan. 27 | Local Kick-Off Week and Welcome | |
| Feb. 3 | Welcome to TEMG and TN Geography – Ch. 1 & 2 | Dr. Natalie Bumgarner and the TEMG Workgroup |
| Feb. 10 | Stewardship – Ch. 4 | Dr. Andrea Ludwig and Emily Richards |
| Feb. 17 | Soils and Management – Ch. 5 & 6 | Gregg Upchurch and Melody Rose |
| Feb. 24 | Botany and Propagation – Ch. 3 | Dr. Natalie Bumgarner and Lucas Holman |
| Mar. 3 | Vegetable Gardens – Ch. 11 | Amy Dunlap and Melody Rose |
| Mar. 10 | Home Fruit – Ch. 12 | Gregg Upchurch and Dr. Annie Vogel |
| Mar. 17 | Entomology and IPM – Ch. 13 | Seth Whitehouse and Dr. Chris Cooper |
| Mar. 24 | Pathology and Diagnostics – Ch. 14 | Celeste Scott and Justin Stefanski |
| Mar. 31 | Turfgrass and Weed Management – Ch. 10 & 15 | Dr. Becky Bowling and Dr. Hannah Wright-Smith |
| Apr. 7 | Sustainable Design and Herbaceous Plants – Ch. 7 & 9 | Mike Ross and Celeste Scott |
| Apr. 14 | Woody Ornamentals – Ch. 8 | Taylor Reeder and Lee Rumble |
| Apr. 21 | Pollinators and EMGs | Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda and Haley Treadway / Anna Duncan |
| Apr. 28 | Local Closing Week |
How to Apply
- Complete the application packet below.
- Email it to Vanessa Jennings at vjennin2@utk.edu and confirm it was received by calling 931-484-6743.
- You will be notified by email of your selection status.
- If accepted, submit the $200 training fee using the secure online payment link that will be emailed to you.
The fee includes all educational training materials, which you keep.
