Our Mission
The mission of the Louisiana Master Gardener volunteer program is to support the LSU AgCenter’s Cooperative Extension Service by using research-based information to help educate the public on best management practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship. We hope you will find our site provides you with resources, inspiration, and encouragement for your gardening projects. Gardening Questions?? Call the Master Gardener Hotline at 318-698-0010. How do I become a Master Gardener? 2019 Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners Community Investment Program On September 1, 2018, the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners (NWLAMG) will begin accepting applications for its 2019 Community Investment Program. Applications for community grants and donations will be accepted. NWLAMG will accept applications for projects in Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, or Red River Parish. NWLAMG will accept electronic applications from eligible groups at nwlamggrants@gmail.com between September 1 and September 30, 2018. Award decisions will be announced no later than December 31, 2018. 2019 Application Form 2019 Program Guidelines For more information and for assistance in completing this application, contact the NWLAMG Community Investment Committee by phone (318-564-1180 or 318-465-0000) or by e-mail (nwlamggrants@gmail.com) 
Special Master Gardener Project
The Livingston Parish Flood Project began as a response to the stories of anguish and destruction occurring following several floods in the spring of 2016. And, it was obvious that housing and basic services were the immediate needs for people bereft of homes, clothing and food. As cleanup efforts began, more and more the enormity of the issue became apparent. Although home and business cleanup was the first line of attack, landscapes were obliterated too. And the ugliness of the whole community was in plain sight everywhere. About that time, considering the human anguish and landscape damage in this parish, the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Association approved a project to partner with Ouachita Parish and Webster Parish Master Gardeners to raise money for direct aid to the Livingston Parish Master Gardeners. The aim was the restoration of landscaping in their community where families found pleasure and fulfillment. One of those spaces, flooded and no longer useful as a playground, had been a major project of the Denham Springs Master Gardeners and the Pilot Club of Livingston Parish. It was the Kidz Corner Playground, an area where children of all abilities and special needs could learn and play in a safe playground. Now, like the rest of the community, it was a disaster. There was no contingency funding to restore this park, The LSU Ag Center Parish Agent/Master Gardener coordinator, Kenny Sharpe suggested that Livingston Parish was in desperate need of financial assistance for this well used, but under-funded project. All three of the partnering Master Gardener Associations concurred in donating their fundraising efforts to this project. We began passing the hat and collecting donations. The first phase of the project, collecting funds, ended August 17. On August 22, to complete the project, master gardeners Tina Kendrick and Lou Osburn traveled to Denham Springs to present a check to the courageous people of this region, enough money to continue funding the restoration of the grounds of the Kidz Playground. August 22nd on a steamy hot afternoon on the Kidz Playground, where our associations came together check in hand. Although the check was signed by NWLAMG Treasurer Steve Roberts, the funds had been derived from the generosity of Piney Hills, Northeast and Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Associations. On this hot afternoon, the misting system was in full force on the ‘‘wet” area of the park, and children and parents were playing in the spray. Under the pavilion, Denham Springs Master Gardeners and members of the local Pilot Club International gathered for a small ceremony to receive a gift of money to restore landscaping in the Kidz Playground. Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners, Piney Hills Master Gardeners and Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners have collected donations for this playground since last October to help fund landscaping restoration in the park. And YOU have been a part of this restoration endeavor! To the surprise and utter delight of Master Gardeners and Pilot Club members, the check donated to the Kidz Park amounted to $4,320! These dollars will purchase benches, trees, plants and hardscape for the drowned park, returning it to a place of beauty and service for the whole community of Livingston Parish. Delighted smiles, thanksgiving and happiness filled the pavilion. You have brightened the day for people who have suffered a great loss. Thank you for helping make this gift possible. Thank you for your generosity, Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners. You donated $2000.00 for this project. Tina and Lou |
Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners can record volunteer hours and education hours online at the LSU AgCenter website here. Click here.
NWLAMG NEWS
Upcoming Activities
Check the NWLA Master Gardeners' Calendar for interesting gardening activities taking place around North Louisiana! Saturday, October 27, 2018 Come see the NWLA Master Gardeners at the Randle T. Moore Center and get great bulbs! 
Get It Growing by Dan Gill of the LSU AgCenter
Dan Gill is the spokesperson for the LSU AgCenter’s Get It Growing project, a statewide educational effort in home horticulture utilizing radio, Internet, TV and newsprint. Gardeners throughout Louisiana read his columns in local newspapers watch his gardening segments on local TV stations, listen to him on local radio and access content on the Internet. Articles by Dr. Joe White. Check it out in the Master Gardener Knowledge Tree, Gardening Wisdom from Dr. Joe White
Articles from the NWLAMG Seedlings. Newest edition can be found at Master Gardeners Knowledge Tree Gardening - "Know How" APPLICATION TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER:
Do you know someone who wants to be a Master Gardener? Classes will begin January, 2019. Application forms are may be obtained from the MG Office in the Carriage House or by calling 698.0010. Class size is limited; for consideration for the 2019 Master Gardener Class, or by going to this address: nwlamg.weebly.com. Please submit your application by December 1. Once submitted, participants will be notified of acceptance. http://nwlamg.weebly.com/forms.html 
Make MONEY for Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners Association,
when you shop AMAZON.COM! Yes, You CAN…and this is how you do it.
Knowing that our local merchants do not have the purchasing power of a giant engine like Amazon, why don’t we shop more often at this gi-normous marketplace, where almost anything is available? Hold on! We want to shop locally. We want our local merchants to succeed. We have made friends with many shopkeepers and want to be able to find items we need at our favorite stores. For most people, if there is a purchase to be made, the first notion is to run errands and shop close to our homes. After all, the most delightful thing about bargain hunting is that you mingle with people, you are outdoors, you are touching, smelling and viewing the products you need, and want to purchase. But, even a shopkeeper may tell you “ just go to our online catalog… you’ll find it there!” And, sometimes, the items we need are not locally available. What is our next move? Start internet shopping and fire up Amazon.com. But, listen to this: When you shop at Amazon.com, and buy a product from them, your order will make money for the NORTHWEST LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENERS! We can earn 5% cash back for the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners every time that you purchase anything from Amazon.com. And, this money will be immediately deposited in our bank account. It’s true! AMAZING. Of course, it doesn’t just happen by magic! You must sign up for us to be eligible for the 5% refund. Here is how you register to send money to NWLAMG’s. Go to amazon.com as usual.. On the black bar below the white search bar are several departments. Choose the “Prime” button. In order to participate, you should be a Prime Member (This membership provides free shipping for all purchases, and many other benefits as well.) There will be a section in the registration asking which non-profit you want to support. Choose NWLAMG’s. That’s it. You’re in. We’re in. Everyone benefits. The next time you enter ‘smile@amazon.com’, you will see that all of your purchases generate money for the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners Association. Pat yourself on the back for helping our organization find some free money! |