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. 

 Nine new Extension Master Gardeners In-Training were trained during Fall 2023.  

Extension Master Gardeners are required to volunteer hours of service back to the community or in efforts that help Cooperative Extension. During 2023-24, 30 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. 

Master Gardeners held two Native Plant sales, 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 her second 6-part educational series for the 2024 growing season on raised bed vegetable gardening using the Pulaski County Extension’s demonstration garden. Her previous series had 20 to 25 participants at each session.   

 Three Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners represented Pulaski County’s group at the 2023 Kentucky State Master Gardener Conference. 

 Master Gardeners have also forged a new relationship with Mill Springs National Battlefield. On Public Lands Day in September 2023, a Master Gardener spoke to a group of 25 volunteers who planted natives around the visitor center. The National Parks employees and local EMGs will develop signage and possibly more interpretive plant information.

 The Lake Cumberland Master Gardener Association (LCMGA) sponsored many of the Tree Week activities and LCMGA members helped plan and coordinate events during that week. 

 Overall, Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners have lost some members due to life changes. However, new trainees must continue to brought into the program for it to be sustainable.