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:
- 681 hours of service in planting and maintaining demonstration gardens at the Extension office, Jeffers Bend Botanical Center and Arboretum, and community gardens.
- 143 hours teaching groups and individuals on gardening topics.
- 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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