The first Florence County Master Gardener class was in 1987. Fifteen graduated under the instruction of Mr. A. J. Kinder and Mr. Laval Oxendine. Mr. Oxendine left Florence County in 1990 leaving Mr. Kinder as the sole instructor. Mr. Kinder taught the class until his retirement in 1994. Mr. Tony Melton taught the class from 1995 until 1996 when he resigned from Clemson University. Mr. Joe Cely worked with the Master Gardeners but no class was taught until Mr. Melton returned in 1998. At present Mr. Melton is the instructor of both the morning and night classes which begin in January each year.