Success StoryThe Value of Master Gardeners



The Value of Master Gardeners

Author: Kelly Jackson

Planning Unit: Christian County CES

Major Program: Master Gardener

Plan of Work: Cultivating community leadership, engagement and pride through educational and experiential learning.

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Master Gardeners is a program run by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to train citizens in many areas of horticulture. Upon completing the Master Gardener education program, participants return 40 hours of community volunteer service through organized projects within one year to earn the title of Master Gardener and 15 hours annually to maintain their volunteer status. During the 2023 program year, Master Gardeners volunteered:

  1. 681 hours of service in planting and maintaining demonstration gardens at the Extension office, Jeffers Bend Botanical Center and Arboretum, and community gardens.
  2. 143 hours teaching groups and individuals on gardening topics.
  3. 702 hours of service to host a regional garden exposition show.

A total of 2,183 hours of volunteer service has been reported from 46 volunteers. At the Independent Sector’s value of hourly volunteer time in Kentucky ($28.53), the value of Master Gardener volunteer service equates to $62,280.99 in value to Christian County Extension and the county. Additionally, these volunteers attained over 3,130 public contacts.






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