2027 Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training

Bigger, Better, and More Impactful: The Expanded 2027 JMG NLT Experience.

The 2027 Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training (2027 JMG NLT) has expanded its professional development offerings to provide participants with even more opportunities for learning, planning, and networking.

In addition to the customary 1½-day JMG National Leader Training Conference held on Tuesday and Wednesday, participants may choose to attend an optional 2-hour Pre-Conference Workshop on Tuesday morning focused on developing and funding sustainable youth garden programs.

This enhanced format allows attendees to gain practical guidance on program development and funding before diving into the comprehensive conference sessions, breakout workshops, and networking experiences that have made the JMG National Leader Training a premier event for youth gardening educators and leaders.

Know Before You Go

Available Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Hours

CPE hours are provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as offered through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at Texas A&M University.

If attending both Pre-Conference Workshop and NLT Conference, participants earn 28 CPE hours

If attending the NLT Conference only, participants earn 26 CPE hours

Registration Details

For specific details, click the drop-downs below.

Pre-Conference Workshop and Conference - $110 - Tuesday, Feb. 16 - Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2027

Conference - $85 - Tuesday, Feb. 16 - Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2027

Pre-Conference Workshop

Growing and Funding Sustainable Youth Garden Projects Workshop

Begin your JMG National Leader Training experience with this expanded, interactive workshop designed to help educators and youth program leaders build thriving, sustainable garden programs.

Participants will explore strategies for planning, implementing, funding, and maintaining successful youth garden projects in schools, after-school programs, community organizations, and Extension settings.

Workshop topics include: Developing a vision and action plan for sustainable youth garden programs; Identifying grants, sponsorships, community partnerships, and other funding opportunities; Creating budgets and resource plans for school and youth gardens; Building collaborative partnerships with schools, Extension, businesses, nonprofits, and community stakeholders; Recruiting and engaging volunteers, parents, and youth leaders; Measuring and communicating program impact; Establishing long-term strategies for program growth and sustainability.

Participants will leave with practical tools, funding ideas, and actionable strategies that can be immediately applied to strengthen existing programs or launch new initiatives.

Workshop Date and Time

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027 - 9 - 11 a.m. (CST)

Conference

2027 JMG NLT

The 2027 Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training (2027 JMG NLT) will be a dynamic, virtual, and interactive professional development conference designed to help participants establish, expand, and sustain impactful school and youth-garden-based education programs.

This popular national training event is geared toward teachers, administrators, Extension faculty, staff and volunteers, as well as garden, nutrition, health, and youth-serving organizations.

Through a proven online learning format, participants will engage in hands-on sessions, peer networking, and research-based training designed to support successful youth gardening programs.

2027 JMG NLT Participants Will:

Become familiar with Junior Master Gardener curricula and research-based educational resources through engaging breakout sessions.
Learn effective strategies for implementing garden-based and project-based learning experiences.
Discover best practices for managing and engaging students, clubs, classrooms, after-school programs, and community groups.
Access JMG group registration, recognition, and certification opportunities.
Strengthen partnerships with local Extension offices, volunteers, parents, and community stakeholders.
Explore strategies for introducing and expanding JMG programming in schools and youth organizations.
Identify funding sources and fundraising approaches to support and grow youth gardening programs.
Utilize JMG program resources, promotional materials, and implementation tools.
Build long-term program sustainability through community collaborations and strategic partnerships.
Connect with educators and youth development professionals from across the nation to share ideas, challenges, and successes.

2027 JMG NLT Conference Tracks:

Implementing JMG Research-Based Curricula
Gardening 101
STEM in the Garden
Nature & Wildlife Gardening: Stewarding Habitat Heroes

Conference Dates and Times

Day 1 - Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027 - noon - 5:30 p.m. (CST)

Day 2 - Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2027 - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CST)

* = Required Field

Email Address

AgriLife employees, please use your @ag.tamu email address

Please select from the following options:

Pre-Conference Workshop and Conference - $ 110.00 [More Info]

Conference Only - $ 85.00 [More Info]

Texas A&M AgriLife Employees [More Info]

Event Help & Policies

Event Questions

For questions regarding event details, please contact jmgnltconference@gmail.com.

Technical Questions

If you would like assistance navigating this site or have questions about the registration process, please contact our customer service group by email at agriliferegister@ag.tamu.edu or call 979-803-1372 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CST. Calls or emails received after hours will be answered the next business day.

If your event is virtual and occurs on the weekend or after hours, please contact the event organizer with your Zoom or Microsoft Teams support questions.

Cancellations and Refunds

All registrations for the 2027 JMG NLT Conference are non-refundable. Because this is a virtual conference, all keynotes, breakout sessions, virtual field trips, and lightning sessions are recorded and available on-demand. Registered attendees can view all recordings from March 1, 2027, through June 30, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. (CT).

If there is an issue with your payment, please contact agriliferegister@ag.tamu.edu for assistance.

Accessibility Statement

AgriLife Register is committed to providing ADA-compliant services and materials. If you feel there is an accessibility issue with this event, please email agriliferegister@ag.tamu.edu with “Accessibility Request” in the subject line. Please provide the event name and date and as much detail as possible.