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 information-based gardening throughout the community, the 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. In this endeavor, the SCMMGA Executive Board awarded the latest series of grants in August, 2007. The first grant was awarded to the upcoming Junior Master Gardener class. Fairfield County Extension Service was the recipient of the second grant. Finally, 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.

If you would like to learn more about us, please visit our website at scmmga.org. If you are a Master Gardener within the four-county area and wish to become a member, application information is available on the web site.