UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers

UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers The Florida Master Gardener Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida.

The program relies on dedicated volunteers who have an interest in gardening and in giving back to their communities. Walton County Master Gardener Program:
Walton County’s Master Gardener Program began in 1998 with 19 Master Gardeners. Selection to become a candidate for the Florida Master Gardener Training Program is not based on prior training, education, knowledge or experience. Neither do age

, race, sex or physical handicap dictate selection. A SINCERE DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS, A DESIRE TO LEAR, AND A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE ARE THE MAJOR SELECTION CRITERIA INVOLVED. Gardening experience and knowledge are always helpful but they are by no means a requirement for selection for the Master Gardener Training Program. Master Gardener Activities:
Most Master Gardener activities center around the Extension Service office in DeFuniak Springs. After successfully completing the training program, Master Gardeners return their 75 hours of volunteer service by answering home horticulture questions at the Walton County Extension Office. This includes answering questions form the public over the phone and one-on-one. Master Gardeners may also help with clerical duties associated with the Master Gardener Program. Other activities include, but are not limited to, working at plant clinics, manning information booths, giving presentations at garden clubs, and working with youth groups such as 4-H. As Master Gardeners assist the Extension Service Agent and staff, they are in effect “extending the Extension Service.” As such, they provide advice and recommendations which have been well documented as a result of experimentation and testing and are approved by the University of Florida. Training never ceases for the certified and working Master Gardener. Throughout the year, Master Gardeners participate in monthly meetings. Specialized knowledge is gained to better enable the Master Gardener to give expert advice. These monthly meetings are also used for planning and status reports on various projects and information exchange and updates. Once a year IFAS conducts “post-graduate” Master Gardener training at the University of Florida in Gainesville. This voluntary two-day session serves to offer Master Gardeners continued education with regard to some topics which may not be covered in the local training as well as to offer a time for Master Gardeners form throughout the state to share information and to receive recognition for the jobs they perform. The program is presented by State Extension Specialists and Agents who strive to bring all Master Gardeners into “sync” with the latest horticultural developments and provide a look into the future of horticultural research.

Join the DeFuniak Springs Daylily Club on October 3 for their fall meeting and daylily sale. Registration is open until ...
09/01/2026

Join the DeFuniak Springs Daylily Club on October 3 for their fall meeting and daylily sale. Registration is open until September 22.

These flowers still perform well under neglect and in full Florida sun. They are great summer performers. The bright mag...
08/31/2026

These flowers still perform well under neglect and in full Florida sun. They are great summer performers. The bright magenta round pom-poms are Globe Amaranth (Glomphrena globosa). The papery flower heads last forever and are excellent for pollinators and dried arrangements. The lavender flower spikes are Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia), sometimes called summer snapdragons.

UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers Lecture Series returns next week. Join us in DeFuniak Sprin...
08/28/2026

UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers Lecture Series returns next week. Join us in DeFuniak Springs September 3.

It may be hot outside, but it is cool inside at The Fair Market DFS The UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Garden...
08/27/2026

It may be hot outside, but it is cool inside at The Fair Market DFS The UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers will be there for all of your gardening needs. Stop in and say hello while browsing all the vendors at the market.

The UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers will h a plant doctor desk at the expo. Bring all your ...
08/21/2026

The UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers will h a plant doctor desk at the expo. Bring all your plant and gardening questions. We can help.

Monday, August 24, stop by the coastal branch library for gardening questions and help. UF / IFAS Extension Walton Count...
08/20/2026

Monday, August 24, stop by the coastal branch library for gardening questions and help. UF / IFAS Extension Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers are also available at the Walton County Extension Office on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

What is the most endangered conifer in the United States?This ancient conifer located in the Florida panhandle is consid...
08/19/2026

What is the most endangered conifer in the United States?

This ancient conifer located in the Florida panhandle is considered one of the rarest trees in the world. It is the Florida Torreya (Torreya taxifolia). It naturally occurs only along the Apalachicola River bluffs in the panhandle and a small adjacent area of Georgia. Disease, along wih other stresses, has devastated the species. You can see surviving trees at Torreya State Park in northern Florida.
Photos courtesy of Shoal Sanctuary

Address

732 N 9th Street
Defuniak Springs, FL
32433

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18508928172

Website

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