Registration is now open for the 2027 Hardeman County Master Gardener class, a spring training program run by the UT/TSU Extension office in Bolivar. Gardeners from Middleton and across Hardeman County have until Dec. 18, 2026, to sign up for the course, which begins Feb. 2.
The Master Gardener program trains home gardeners in horticulture and then puts that knowledge to work through volunteer service in the community, from demonstration gardens to answering neighbors’ plant questions.
Hardeman County Master Gardener Class Schedule
Classes will meet at the UT/TSU Extension Office, 210 Vildo Road in Bolivar. The schedule includes:
Weekly sessions: Tuesdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Feb. 2 through April 27, 2027
One Saturday session: March 13, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost and How to Register
Fee: $175 for an individual or $200 for a couple
Registration deadline: Dec. 18, 2026
Contact: Rachel Howell, UT/TSU Extension Agent III for Horticulture in Hardeman County, at rparker1@utk.edu or (731) 658-2421
Because the deadline falls just before the holidays, anyone considering the class may want to reach out to the Extension office early to confirm a spot. A Master Gardener registration could also make a practical Christmas gift for a gardener in the family.
What It Takes to Become Certified
Completing the class is only the first step. To earn Master Gardener certification, participants must:
Finish the training class
Log at least 40 hours of volunteer service
Complete eight hours of continuing education outside of class
To stay certified and remain a member of the Hardeman County Master Gardener Association, members must then complete 25 volunteer hours and eight hours of continuing education each year.
For Middleton-area residents, the program is a chance to learn research-based gardening practices suited to West Tennessee soil and weather, meet other local growers and give back through community projects. Bolivar is about a 20-minute drive from Middleton.
Why the Master Gardener Program Matters Locally
Master Gardener programs are offered through land-grant university Extension services across the country. In Tennessee, the program is part of UT Extension, which works alongside Tennessee State University Extension in counties like Hardeman. Volunteers who complete the training often help with school gardens, community beautification projects, plant sales and educational events, and they serve as a local resource for residents with questions about vegetables, flowers, lawns, trees and pests.
The class is a good fit for anyone who wants to grow more of their own food, improve a home landscape or simply get more involved in the community. No professional background is required, but participants should be ready to commit to the full spring schedule and the volunteer hours that follow.
Questions about class content, scheduling or payment should go directly to the Hardeman County UT/TSU Extension office.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
