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.






Stories by Kelly Jackson


Vegetable Education Outreach

about 4 months ago by Kelly Jackson

Interest in vegetable gardening, especially among younger generations, has seen a resurgence in rece... Read More


Connecting Gardeners to Local Resources

about 4 months ago by Kelly Jackson

The Christian County 2030 Vision Plan, prepared by the local Chamber of Commerce, is a plan to guide... Read More


Stories by Christian County CES


How We Touch the Water

How We Touch the Water

about 4 months ago by Matthew Futrell

Water quality has a deep impact on everyone it touches. In our day-to-day lives we dont give much th... Read More


A Renewed Confidence

A Renewed Confidence

about 4 months ago by Matthew Futrell

Community Gardens are a two fold approach to supporting our local community. From first look, a gard... Read More


Stories by Master Gardener


New Master Gardener Service Project

New Master Gardener Service Project

about 4 months ago by Matthew Chadwick

The problemMaster Gardners look for local service project that can have a lasting impact on the comm... Read More


Fall Plant Swap Enhances People’s Knowledge of Plants

Fall Plant Swap Enhances People’s Knowledge of Plants

about 4 months ago by Erika Wood

In the past several years, the Pennyroyal Master Gardener Association has held a spring and fall pla... Read More