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: To foster the development of personal and interpersonal skills, stimulate volunteer leadership, and

Outcome: Initial Outcome

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 2018 program year Master Gardeners volunteered:

  • 731 hours of service in planting and maintaining demonstration gardens at the Extension office, Jeffers Bend Botanical Center and Arboretum and community gardens;
  • 118 hours by serving as advisors and members of different community committees;
  • 540 hours of service to host a regional garden exposition show.

A total of 2,040 hours of volunteer service has been reported from 48 volunteers. At the Independent Sector’s 2019-dollar value of hourly volunteer time ($25.43), the value of Master Gardener volunteer service equates to $51,877.20 in value to Christian County Extension and the county. Additionally, these volunteers attained over 5,438 public contacts.






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