Author: Annette Heisdorffer
Planning Unit: Daviess County CES
Major Program: Master Gardener
Plan of Work: Home and Consumer Horticulture, Master Gardeners
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Green River Area Extension Master Gardener Association plays an integral role in Daviess County. In the fall of 2019, we conducted an evaluation of individual and community-level impacts of GRAEMGA. We found that individuals participating not only increased their garden and environmental education competency, but they also gained leadership skills in teamwork, communication, and working with diverse populations. They also developed new social networks with organizational partners and fellow volunteers. All of these personal skills and collective capacities are then activated through community projects that make a significant impact on the quality of life in their local area. Sixty-one Extension Master Gardeners volunteered 4,813 hours in the community during FY 2019-20. This is a value of $103,094 to the community.
They contribute to community-wide food security by donating fresh produce to local feeding agencies and expanding consumer gardens. There are also cost savings and increased financial security brought to residents through the seed library, managed by the Extension Master Gardeners at the Daviess County Public Library, and proliferation of homesteading and consumer gardening. Increased access to the resources necessary to grow their own food helps the community save money on food and builds their self-sufficiency. Through the partnership with the library, the library mailed out 1359 packages of seed to 297 patrons while it was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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