The Master Gardener Program is part of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and is designed to expand horticultural knowledge among the community through the use of trained volunteers.  Master Gardeners are required to complete 40 hours of approved volunteer service related to horticulture within one year after completing the training as well as attend 20 hours of continuing education.  

In the fall 2017, the Horticulture Agents of Harrison and Bourbon Counties offered a joint Master Gardener program.  The ten week program offered a curriculum that included a wide variety of horticulture subjects that were be taught through classroom lectures, labs and demonstrations by University of Kentucky Specialists and Horticulture Agents.

The evaluation survey of the ten week program indicated that, because of the training they received, 100% of the participants increased their knowledge in:

• general knowledge of gardening
• cooperative extension and the role it serves in the community
• integrated pest management methods for plant problems

All of the participants expressed plans to adopt at least three practices learned during the program including:

·obtaining a soil test

·prune and fertilize fruit trees

·clean up the garden after the growing season

·rotate vegetable crops

·insect control