In gardens across Cobb County, learning happens in the soil. The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County (MGVOCC) has built a reputation for connecting residents with practical, research-based gardening knowledge while strengthening community ties.
Tied to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, the program aligns with a broader mission to educate the public on agriculture, nutrition, natural resources, and youth development. Locally, the focus is simply to grow gardeners.
“I’ve been a Master Gardener since 2018,” Sydney Hembree, longtime volunteer, says. “I started the program while I was in graduate school. The classes run from January through late March or early April, once a week from about 8:30 or 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You learn a lot in a short amount of time.”
The training covers everything from selecting the right turf grass for Georgia lawns to planting with wildlife in mind and even building rain barrels. After completing the coursework, participants spend the remainder of the year as interns, paired with active Master Gardeners and required to complete service hours through outreach, 4-H programming, and staffing the Master Gardener desk at the Cobb Extension Office.
For Sydney, the internship opened unexpected doors. Drawing on her background in communications, she stepped into a publicity role for the organization’s 2019 fundraising events: the annual Plant Sale and Garden Tour. Despite cold and wet weather that year, the events saw record attendance and vendor participation, thanks in part to strong recruitment efforts and expanded offerings.
One of the most visible additions has been the “Kids Corner,” which she now leads annually at the Plant Sale. What began in 2019 as a simple photo booth has grown into an interactive educational space built around rotating themes such as planets, Georgia wildlife, and cooking with herbs.
“We see over 300 children and families at the sale,” she says. “Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the lightbulb go off in a kid’s eyes when they learn something new.”
Beyond large events, MGVOCC members work year-round to share fact-based gardening advice and encourage sustainable practices. The organization emphasizes education and service, helping residents feel confident in their landscapes while fostering environmental stewardship.
“The program is a fantastic way to connect and share practical knowledge,” she says. “It’s rewarding to see people get excited about learning.”
The Cobb Master Gardeners Plant Sale
The Cobb Master Gardeners plant sale is the perfect way to celebrate spring. Browse a selection of plants homegrown by local Master Gardeners, visit the free Kids Corner to play and learn, and check out the Yard Sale for some interesting finds. In addition, shop for garden gifts from local vendors, plants from all over the Southeast, locally sourced honey, herbs, and sauces, bird accessories, glass crafts, yard art, and more. There’s something for the whole family. The plant sale will be open from April 17 to 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Jim R. Miller Park. Admission is free.
The Cobb Master Gardeners Garden Tour
Learn about native plants and get inspiration for your spring garden at the Cobb Master Gardeners garden tour. Visit four gardens, located in East Cobb, in any order on May 9, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The tour is self-guided, but the homeowners and Master Gardener volunteers will be on site to answer questions. Tickets are $15 per person and will be available to purchase at cobbmastergardeners.com starting April 17. Children 17 and under are free. This is a rain-or-shine event.