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Master gardeners celebrate statewide
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ATLANTA — During the past 30 years, more than 5,000 people across the state have worked tirelessly for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension without compensation. They are the state’s master gardeners, volunteers trained in horticulture who make up the network of dedicated individuals who love gardening and share their time and talents with the community.
In 2009, more than 3,000 individuals donated more than 206,500 hours to the organization.
This year, Gov. Sonny Perdue declared March 20 Georgia Master Gardener Day to commemorate the thousands of hours that the state’s master gardeners have given in service — teaching classes, doing community work, mentoring young people, educating the public and spending hours on telephones answering gardening questions from the public.
“Our master gardeners are amazing,” said Judy Mitchell, 2010 president of the organization. “All across the state, they are involved in so many projects that promote gardening and horticulture. And every one of them is enthusiastic in sharing their love of all things gardening.”
The Georgia Master Gardener Association is a nonprofit association of volunteers. There are a number of  active chapters in the state, each training between 15 and 30 volunteers each year.
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