Gardening information is in demand with the continued popularity of growing vegetables, fruits, flowers, and maintaining the landscape and lawn.  With the help of trained Extension Master Gardener volunteers, who deliver science-based horticultural information, the Horticulture Extension Agent reaches more clientele with information on growing and maintaining vegetable gardens and landscape plants. They are a vital part of the outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service into the community.  In addition, the Extension Master Gardeners seek this opportunity to fulfill their goal of helping others in the community through sharing their gardening knowledge gained through the program.

With the current Extension Master Gardeners and interns combined, 51 reported that they volunteered 3364 hours toward educational projects involving horticulture in the community this fiscal year. The Independent Sector reported the value of volunteer time as $29.47 per hour.  The total value of the volunteer service provided to the community by the Extension Master Gardeners was $99,137.  They also reported 826 hours of continuing education.  Participants in this program demonstrated the knowledge they gained by answering questions from clientele through educational booths at events such as the Owensboro Expo and Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market.  They also contributed by maintaining the Raised Bed Demonstration Garden at the Extension Office, providing over 432 pounds of vegetables to the Boulware Mission.  Other projects included preparing seeds for the Seed Library at the Daviess County Public Library, maintaining a demonstration Monarch Waystation, and developing a native plant garden as well as working in other gardens there and helping at educational events at the Western KY Botanical Garden.

In a written survey by 26 Extension Master Gardeners, 100% believed that the program greatly improves the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service's connection to the local community with the many organizations that they touch and 100% believed that they have developed skills that they can use in other areas of their life as a result of this program.