![UGA Extension Master Gardeners gather at their annual conference in April at UGA's State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. To celebrate 40 years of service, they hosted David Gibby, far right, who founded the nation's first Master Gardener program in 1972.](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/news/multimedia/images/4349/MasterGardenersGroupSMALL.jpeg)
Master Gardeners Milestone
For the past 40 years, Georgians have been helping their friends and neighbors build better landscapes, plant healthier gardens and protect their local ecosystems through the University of Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer program.