In Response to a high level of interest in home gardening and numerous requests to county extension office for horticultural information, the Master Gardener Volunteer Program concept began more than 30 years ago in Washington State. The idea was to involve horticulture extension facility in training knowledgeable gardeners to assist the Extension staff in delivering home gardening information to friends, neighbors, and the general public. From that first class of Seattle area Master Gardeners in 1972, the concept has now spread to all 50 states and several Canadian provinces. The program was introduced in South Carolina in 1981 in Charleston County. Today, 30 Clemson University County Extension Offices throughout the state offer the program. Volunteer candidates receive 14 weeks of classroom training and once passing the final examination, must volunteer at least 40 hours to become certified. If interested, please contact your local extension office or call 1-888-656-9988 or email http://hgic.clemson.edu

The South Carolina Midlands Master Gardeners Association consists of over 300 Master Gardeners from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, and Richland counties. Its primary purpose is to provide continuing education to its members as well as to promote an interest in the art and science of gardening among residents of the four counties. All members have been certified by the Clemson Extension Service after successfully completing requisite class work. Continuing education is further enhanced through the Association’s newsletter, And Sow Forth.

In an effort to promote gardening education throughout the community, SCMMGA's first Symposium was offered in March of 1991 and was open to the public. It was initially held at the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Due to its immense popularity and sold-out crowds, it eventually moved to its current location at the Columbia Conference Center in northwest Columbia. Each symposium features nationally-recognized speakers and a variety of concurrent sessions as well as many extras.

The Association also produces a yearly garden guide, which serves as both a journal and a calendar. It is stocked with loads of information appropriate for each month of the year. It has been a “best seller” within our communities. Quarterly educational programs, hosted by each county on a rotating basis, are also offered to the general public.

The Association is a nonprofit organization. All proceeds from Association activities are used for community-based educational programs throughout the four-county area. A major commitment of $12,000 was awarded to the Garden District of the Historic Columbia Foundation. Permanent signage will be provided for five planned garden restorations within walking distance of one another, with each garden reflecting a particular period in the history of the area. The signage will provide information about the house as well as the garden. The Seibels House and Garden was the first of the planned restorations to have received the signage, with the remainder to be completed over a three year period. Prior donations of this size have been made to the Riverbanks Botanical Garden and the Sandhills Children’s Garden.