Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) are volunteer educators serving across the country in local communities. Backed by the University of Kentucky, Kentucky EMGs are dedicated to outreach and on a mission to support successful gardening through science-based horticulture information. 

 Extension Master Gardeners are required to volunteer hours of service back to the community or in efforts that help Cooperative Extension. During 2022-23, 21 Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners reported just under 900 hours of community service. Using hourly wage data from the Independent Sector, this amounts to roughly $26,000. Master Gardeners are also required to obtain CEUs to keep them up-to-date on horticulture topics. Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners earned about 145 hours of CEUs this year. 

Extension Master Gardeners held two Native Plant sales and assisted with a local business who reached out for their expertise, helped create a cut flower garden at an assisted living facility, set up tables at community events (Green Living Fair, Earth Day at SCC), did a youth outreach activity at a local farm’s Kid’s Day event, and volunteered with the 4-H Art in Gardening Club and 4-H Gardening Day Camp. One Master Gardener has created a 6-part educational series on raised bed vegetable gardening using the Pulaski County Extension’s demonstration garden and has had 20 to 25 participants at each session so far.    

The Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners were represented well at the 2022 Kentucky State Master Gardener Conference. Four attended and one spoke briefly during the Lightning Rounds.

 Master Gardeners have also forged a new relationship with Mill Springs National Battlefield. They will help develop native plantings around the visitor center and potentially other sites. One Master Gardener spoke to a group of 18 volunteers who were there to tear out the old, non-native plantings. They will help develop native plantings around the visitor center and potentially other sites.

 Overall, Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners have lost some members due to life changes but the group seems to be doing well even with slightly fewer active members. Nine new Master Gardeners were trained during 2022 and are currently fulfilling their volunteer requirement during 2023.