Programs and Activities
Acadian Village/LARC Master Gardeners created gardens at the LARC campus in Lafayette to teach clients gardening skills. Participants grow produce which is sold to LARC personnel.
Ask-a-Master-Gardener Master Gardeners staff booths at events such as the Sunset Herb Festival, Festival des Fleurs, and the Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market at Moncus Park to answer questions about horticulture issues.
Avec Souci Members serve as hosts in their personal gardens and provide other support.
Community Gardens The LPMGA board occasionally approves small beautification projects to help other non-profits for which members can earn volunteer hours.
Day Lily Festival LPMGA Members crew a table at this annual event dispensing horticultural information and advice to festival goers.
Demonstration Gardens The Demonstration Gardens informs the community and illustrates environmentally sound methods of gardening in an atmosphere of collaboration and enrichment. The Demo Gardens are located on the grounds of the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center. Members meet each Wednesday to maintain the beds. The gardens are open daily to the general public from 7 am to sundown and currently include the following:
Children’s Garden Louisiana Super Plant bed
Mr. McGregor’s bed Tropical bed
Butterfly bed Camellia bed
Salvia bed Bog bed
Perennial bed Vegetable bed
Hummingbird bed Native bed
Wildlife bed Enabling bed
American Rose bed Antique Rose bed
Bulb bed Shrub bed
Spices and Herb bed
Library Lecture Series Members develop and host educational events featuring various speakers to educate the general public during growing season on many horticultural topics.
Festival des Fleurs/Spring Plant Sale Master Gardeners work at Festivals des Fleurs, helping to staff the children’s activities and admission table, supervising the drawings of donated prizes and presenting educational talks and gardening advice. The LPMGA also sells plants propagated by our members.
4-H Contest Days Master Gardeners help parish Ag agents judge various contests and award gifts for Achievement Day in addition to providing other support.
Habitat for Humanity A LPMGA committee does limited landscaping of Habitat homes as they are completed.
Horticulture Hints Members assist with the quarterly distribution of LSU AG printed information to area plant nurseries and stores.
Ira Nelson Horticulture Center Volunteer Service LPMGA members assist the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center director with specific horticulture tasks requiring high level skills.
Meredith’s Place Project Members work with residents of this facility through teaching general and vegetable gardening skills.
Monthly General Membership Meetings Meetings are conducted on the first Wednesday of the month, with the exception of May and December. A horticulture education presentation is followed by a business meeting. The general public is invited to attend.
New Iberia AG Adventures Master Gardeners assist the Iberia Ag Adventures event in the Louisiana Fruits/Vegetables and Flowers/Pollinators/Insects stations. This event is for all 3rd graders in Iberia Parish and schools in surrounding parishes.
PlantFest Each fall, the LPMGA Propagation Team offers a wide variety of unique and interesting plants for sale. The general public can join LPMGA members at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center, 2206 Johnston St, Lafayette, to shop for plants and attend horticulture-related workshops. Children's activities are included. Admission is free.
Plant/Seed Swap Several swaps are held throughout the year. The general public is invited to bring seeds and plants to swap with others. Information for Plant/seed swaps appears on the LPMGA home page.
Propagation Committee Master Gardeners meet on Wednesday mornings to propagate plants for the spring and fall plant sales. Propagation activities are held at the greenhouses and gardens located at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center.
School Garden Initiative The Lafayette Parish Master Gardener Association, in conjunction with the Lafayette 4-H Program, established a school garden initiative during the 2009-2010 school year in an effort to engage youth while improving academics, life skill development and health. Gardens are incorporated as part of the school curriculum as an outdoor laboratory and complement a wide range of subjects including science, math, English, history, language arts, physical education. Click here for more information.
Southern Garden Festival This event is a fundraiser for the non-profit agency Family Promise of Acadiana to help homeless families reach and sustain their independence. LPMGA members support this event by volunteering to help plant the garden, speak on various garden topics or dispense advice at the Ask-A-Master-Gardener table.
Speakers Bureau Master Gardeners give free presentations at various venues, such as garden club meetings or other organizational gatherings. The presentations cover a wide range of horticulture topics. Request a presentation by contacting the Lafayette Parish Extension Office at (337) 291-7090.
Spring Plant Sale Plants propagated by Master Gardeners are sold to the public at a plant sale held at the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center.
Vermilionville Healing Gardens LPMGA joined forces with members of the Vermilionville Living History Foundation Board to plan a traditional medicinal garden at La Maison Acadienne at Vermilionville. The Healer's Garden Guide is available, which lists and describes the plants in the garden and describes their traditional uses. Click here to read more.