Master Gardeners educated and educating

Author: Amy Aldenderfer

Major Program: Master Gardener

Describe the Issue or Situation.Hardin County has over 42,000 households with over 110,000 residents.  Extension Master Gardeners enable residents to access research-based information as an extension to the county Horticulture Agent. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).The Extension Master Gardener Program consists of 15 classes of intense training in various areas of interest to horticulture enthusiasts.  After the classroom trainin

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State Master Gardener Conference

Author: Sarah Imbus

Major Program: Master Gardener

Top picture includes many of the NKY Master Volunteers who helped with one of the many conference committes.Below pictures, Campbell, Boone and Kenton County UK Horticulture agents and program assistants who co-hosted the 2024 State ConferenceVolunteer leaders are essential for Extension to extend our presence throughout the community. The Master Gardener program is not just a training that allows gardeners to learn new skills, it is a way for gardeners to build community and help the public thr

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Master Gardener Educational Tours

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Master Gardener

Describe the Issue or Situation.Fill in more detail later. Master Gardener Volunteers gain skills, confidence, perspective and bring those back to Bullitt County in programming and leadership roles.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that o

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2024 Annual Master Gardener Conference

Author: Robert Brockman

Major Program: Master Gardener

Volunteer leaders are essential for Extension to extend our presence throughout the community. The Master Gardener program is not just a training that allows gardeners to learn new skills, it is a way for gardeners to build community and help the public through volunteering.Many of our Master Gardeners have been volunteers with us for years, helping to maintain demonstration gardens, write gardening articles for the public, teach horticulture classes, and much more. These Master Gardeners love t

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Master Gardeners Vertebrate Pest Management

Author: Steven Mobley

Major Program: Master Gardener

Master GardenersVertebrate Pest Control in the Home and Garden  The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program began in the late 1980’s and was initially active in a few urban counties. Today the program is active in 50 Kentucky counties with 1,445 active volunteers who contribute in excess of 43,000 service hours and provide research-based plant information in over 83,000 direct contacts with Kentucky residents each year. The Laurel County Master Gardner program currently has 8

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New MG education classes

Author: Matthew Chadwick

Major Program: Master Gardener

Describe the Issue or Situation: The Master Gardener (MG) program aims to develop knowledgeable, confident, and skilled volunteers. However, feedback from the last two volunteer training cohorts indicated concerns about the program’s structure. Participants expressed that certain classes lacked both relevant content and effective delivery, leading to gaps in their readiness to apply the knowledge in real-world settings.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if

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Expanding Reach Through Volunteers

Author: Jamie Dockery

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Fayette County horticulture program plays a vital role in supporting the local community in one of Kentucky's largest cities, home to a population of X residents. With just two full-time horticulture staff members, meeting the growing demand for expert horticultural guidance can be a challenge. However, the program leverages the incredible power of a dedicated group of trained Extension Master Gardener volunteers, enhancing its reach and impact across the county.In Fayette County, becomi

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Master Gardeners Make a Difference

Author: Erika Wood

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Extension Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization dedicated to teaching and training people about horticulture related topics. This program is a part of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and assists county extension agents in providing education and outreach in the community.   Master Gardeners are required to undergo training and complete 40 hours of volunteer service in their first year before becoming certified.  After the first year, Master Ga

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North Kentucky Hosts the 2024 Kentucky Master Gardener Conference

Author: Brandon George

Major Program: Master Gardener

Success Story 1-9-2025North Kentucky Hosts the 2024 Kentucky Master Gardener Conference On September 24-26, 2024, Kenton, Campbell, and Boone Counties cohosted the State Master Gardener Conference. Each NKY horticulture extension team along with their respective Master Gardener groups were tasked with event planning committees. Kenton County was responsible for organizing speakers for the event as well as setting up for and arranging workshops and tours. A unique experience was getting a to

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Training New Master Gardener Volunteers

Author: Adam Leonberger

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Kentucky Master Gardener Program is a fourteen-week course on horticulture, aimed at training volunteers to be better gardeners and community leaders. Graduates must complete 40 hours of community service in the first year and 20 hours annually thereafter.  Franklin and Woodford County CES held a class of nineteen students, all passionate about gardening. Many have started or plan to assist with community gardens, using sustainable methods. This year, fourteen students became certi

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