Become a Certified Master Gardener
If you are interested in gardening, would like get involved with other gardeners, make some new friends and learn a lot, become a certified Master Gardener. In Texas, all Master Gardener programs are under the direction of the Texas A&M AgriLife programs at Texas A&M University. In Bell County, become a “certified” Master Gardener by attending classes on Wednesday afternoons from January through May at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Belton. Complete studies, activities and homework, put in required educational and volunteer service hours and you can become a certified Master Gardener in the state of Texas.
If you are interested in participating in the Master Gardener training program, please fill out the application and background check forms (PDF downloads, from the top of this page) The application includes questions about:
• your gardening experience
• your area(s) of interest
• your availability and willingness to give back to the community through participation in education and volunteer programs
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Bell County Master Gardener!
The next Master Gardener training class
offered by the Bell County Master Gardeners begins in January of 2022. Classes meet weekly from January through the end of May. Read more below.
Deadline for 2022 applications is *November 30, 2021. Class size is limited, 16-18 seats will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call or email the Bell County, Texas A&M Extension Office to find out enrollment availability, (or to get on the waiting list). 254-933-5304 or bell.mg@agnet.tamu.edu
For more information about the next Master Gardener training class, download and read the class application information letter. Application Information Letter
2021 Class Schedule (Print for info and records)
To Register for the next Master Gardener Training Class:
Complete the Class Application and Background Check Form and mail or hand deliver to the Texas A&M Extension Office, 1605 N. Main St., Belton, TX 76513.
Class Application for 2021 – Fillable
Background Check Form (Required Background Check)
Enrollment Fee: A check for $200 is due when class seat availability has been confirmed. 16-18 seats will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call or email the Bell County, Texas A&M Extension Office to find out enrollment availability,
254-933-5304 or bell.mg@agnet.tamu.edu
Once availability has been confirmed, make a check out (no credit cards, please) to BCMGA or Bell County Master Gardener Association. Mail or hand deliver to the Texas A&M Extension Office, 1605 N. Main St., Belton, TX 76513.
“They are back!”, Hummingbirds in Central Texas. Photographer: Randy Brown
Fee Description: $200 covers various expenses, travel expenses for speakers, bus fees, admission fees to various gardens, master gardener handbook, landscaping kit and required background check.
(This information will be updated by the end of July, 2021, but will remain relatively the same, meeting on Wednesdays at the same times listed below.)
Required Orientation, Wednesday January 6th, 1:00-4:30pm and classes begin Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Classes will be held at the Bell County AgriLife Extension Office each Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm through May. (In March, you’ll have a Wednesday off for Spring Break.) The Bell County Extension Office is located at: 1605 N. Main St., Belton, TX 76513. If you have any questions, please call 254-933-5304.
Master Gardener Training, Reinstatement & Transfer Info
For more information, contact the Master Gardener Help Desk any Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 254-933-5304, or email us at bell.mg@ag.tamu.edu
BCMGA Mission Statement
The Bell County Master Gardeners Association assists the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in providing high quality, relevant, research-based horticultural education and service to the residents of Bell County and the state of Texas through outreach, teaching, and demonstration projects.