Master Gardeners is a program run by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to train citizens in many areas of horticulture. Upon completion of the Master Gardener education program, participants are expected to return 30 hours of community volunteer service through organized projects within one year to earn the title Master Gardener and 15 hours annually to maintain their volunteer status. During the 2017 program year Master Gardeners volunteered:
•292 hours of service in planting and maintaining demonstration gardens at the Extension office, Jeffers Bend Botanical Center and Arboretum and community gardens;
•291 hours by serving as advisors and members of different community committees;
•827 hours of service to host a regional garden exposition show.
A total of 1,815 hours of volunteer service has been reported from 41 volunteers. At the Independent Sector’s 2018-dollar value of hourly volunteer time ($24.69), the value of Master Gardener volunteer service equates to $44,812.35 in value to Christian County Extension and the county. Additionally, these volunteers attained over 1,400 public contacts.