The Pearl River County Master Gardeners (PRCMG) hosted the Southeast District Meeting for the first time on Wednesday at Sun Roamers RV Resort Park in Picayune. The annual gathering brought together Master Gardeners from 14 counties across southern Mississippi for a day of education, networking, and official business.

The event featured expert speakers, including licensed horticulturist Jody Shugart, renowned rose grower Peggy Martin, environmental specialist Mandy Rigsby, and botanist Heather Sullivan. Attendees participated in discussions on topics ranging from native plants to wildlife conservation. The meeting also included door prizes, a silent auction, and awards for the best table decorations and creative reuse or recycling projects.

“This is the first time the Southeast District Meeting has been held in Pearl River County,” said Teresa Covington, president of the Pearl River County Master Gardeners. “It’s usually hosted in Hattiesburg, but we worked hard to find a venue here that could accommodate the event within our budget as a nonprofit organization.”

Beyond its educational offerings, the gathering served as a reunion for Master Gardeners who rarely have opportunities to meet outside of large-scale events.

“We don’t get to see each other often except for meetings like this,” Covington said. “It’s a chance to connect, talk about plants, and even share them—we almost always come home with new plants.”

The Master Gardener program, administered by Mississippi State University Extension, provides in-depth horticultural training to volunteers who, in turn, contribute service hours to their communities. Covington encouraged those interested in gardening to consider joining.

“We would welcome anyone who wants to become a Master Gardener,” she said. “Registration opens in August.”