Author: Kara Back-Campbell
Planning Unit: Taylor County CES
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Plan of Work: Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture Education
Outcome: Initial Outcome
One of the challenges of the Master Gardeners' program is finding volunteer opportunities to fulfill the required hours needed to be certified, or continue to be certified. This however, has not been the case with the Taylor County Master Gardeners. Long before the Master Gardeners' program began, Clay Hill Memorial Forest reached out to the extension office for help with their educational facility, which is owned by Campbellsville University. They were desiring to have a pollinator garden. Pollinators are facing an increase loss of habitat and as a result, decreasing in numbers.
The existing pollinator garden was in disarray. After weeding, plant selection, designing, planting, mulching, and labeling the garden was completed. This garden will be able to be utilized, and enjoyed for many years to come. It provides an example of plants, and design ideas that homeowners can incorporate into their own landscape. It also allows people to see pollinators at work, feeding from the garden.
Just after 3 weeks the entire project was completed. Now, Clay Hill has a newly refurbished educational component to add to their facility. Since then, the Master Gardeners have helped with educational events for children such as "Bug Night". Clay Hill Memorial Forest has been overjoyed with the volunteer enthusiasm of the Master Gardeners. The staff at the Clay Hill Visitors' Center stated, "We have had a great week of help from Master Gardeners." This facility is not the only place where the master gardeners volunteer at, but it is very near and dear to their hearts. The Taylor County Master Gardeners will continue to serve it, to provide for the wildlife and community who both utilize it.
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