The Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) Program is a volunteer management and outreach program of the Cooperative Extension Service. It is an intensive fifteen week horticultural training for individuals who then volunteer as Master Gardeners in their communities. Based on data from 2015 and 2016, 50 counties in Kentucky have EMG programs that engage 1,445 active volunteers across the state.

The Woodford County Extension Horticulture Agent partners with the Franklin County Extension Horticulture Agent to offer this training every other year. The program was offered for the fourth time in the fall of 2019. There were a total of 22 participants and each participant will be required to return 40 hours of volunteer service to the community in order to become a certified master gardener. Once they complete 40 hours of service within the first year of completing the training, they will be required to complete 30 hours of volunteer service to retain their certification.  Each participant is required to return at least 40 hours of service back into the community. 

The Wooford County EMG Program has grown to over 50 members. Master Gardeners teach classes, organize workshops, create gardens, share gardening best practices, and much more. Their volunteer commitment and support has allowed the Woodford County Extension service to offer a larger number of impactful programs and has helped to extend Extensions programming to a wider audience. The Master Gardener volunteer opportunity has given participants a better sense of community, leadership skills, accomplishment, and intellectual stimulation. Below is a quote from a Woodford County EMG member:

"I am thrilled with my experience in the MGP. The knowledge I gained has been invaluable and given me confidence knowing what I am sharing with others is accurate and will be helpful for them. I now regularly have friends contact me with questions around their house plants and gardens. My gardening skills have increased across the board but especially on turf, trees and shrubs, vegetables, proper transplanting, and identifying diseases and pests. I feel I understand the nature of plants much better. I will continue to recommend the program to others." - Julie Buchanan