Volunteer leaders are essential for Extension to extend our presence throughout the community. The Master Gardener program is not just a training that allows gardeners to learn new skills, it is a way for gardeners to build community and help the public through volunteering.

Many of our Master Gardeners have been volunteers with us for years, helping to maintain demonstration gardens, write gardening articles for the public, teach horticulture classes, and much more. These Master Gardeners love to get together to see what other groups are doing and to share their common love of growing plants.

To allow Master Gardeners to further their passion for gardening and learn from each other, horticulture agents and staff from Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties hosted the Annual Kentucky Master Gardener Conference in Northern Kentucky. The theme for the conference was Energize, Enrich, Engage. The mission was to give Master Gardeners the fuel to continue pursuing their passion of helping the public.

The conference was held at the Boone County Extension Enrichment Center with preconference tours occurring in the Enrichment Center as well as at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. There were a total of 176 Master Gardeners who came from 37 counties across the state to attend the conference. Speakers came from the University of Kentucky Forestry and Entomology Departments, Mt. St. Joseph University, Ohio University, USDA APHIS, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and others. 

Welcome sign at entrance
The Boone County horticulture department worked with Master Gardener volunteers to set up the conference space, decorate, provide snacks and refreshments, coordinate food for meals, and make sure everything ran smoothly.

NKY Master Gardener Volunteers who helped with conference

As a result of attending the conference, 81% of participants said that they plan to implement at least one thing that they learned form the conference. A few things that were shared include "Be aware of invasive (insects and plants) and help others", "I plan to try Bonsai now", Change some of my landscape by adding more pollinator plants and propagate White Oak trees to give away", and "Being aware of poisonous plant in my landscape".