Extension Master Gardener volunteers deliver science-based horticultural information to help clientele grow and maintain 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 gardening knowledge gained through the program.  

A total of 51 active Extension Master Gardeners reported that they volunteered 3,843 hours toward educational projects involving horticulture in the community this fiscal year. The total value of the volunteer service to the community was $84,546. Participants in this program demonstrated the knowledge they gained by answering questions from clientele through educational booths at events such as the Owensboro Home and Garden Show, Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market, and Owensboro Municipal Utilities Health Fair.  They also contributed by recording 14 "how to" videos on horticultural topics and posting them on their Facebook page with agent approval, maintaining the Raised Bed Demonstration Garden and providing over 77 pounds of vegetables to local shelters and rehabilitation centers, Seed Library, Western KY Botanical Garden,and  sharing plants and information with Habitat for Humanity homeowners to use in his or her landscape. Four Extension Master Gardeners presented programs to groups..

Two Extension Master Gardeners taught the “Butterfly Basics” workshop at the Western KY Botanical Garden in Owensboro.  The program included information about the butterfly life cycle, butterfly behavior, and how to photograph them for the best quality photo.  As a result of the program, 100 % of the 24 participants responded in a written survey indicated that they learned about plants that attract butterflies, about protecting butterfly habitats, about the differences between butterflies and moths, and how to identify common butterflies of Kentucky.   Ninety-two percent said that they learned strategies for photographing butterflies.  Also, the group indicated that the 2 Extension Master Gardeners were very effective as teachers of this class.