Arkansas Master Gardener
History
In 1972, the Extension Agent/Farm Advisor in Snohomish County, Washington
could no longer handle the calls from the growing number of ‘urban’ farmers in
his area. The concept of a group of trained volunteers with the specific goal of
assisting the farm advisor was contemplated. A core group of interested
gardeners was recruited and trained by the local land grant university
cooperative extension office to meet the need. This was the beginning of the
Master Gardener Program. (Source: Master Gardener International)
Master Gardeners receive many hours of training in botany, soil science,
plant propagation, pest management, pesticide and herbicide usage, vegetable and
ornamental plant gardening, plant and weed identification, pruning and other
horticulture related subjects. In exchange, Master Gardeners donate back to
local communities by answering questions, researching specific problems,
planting educational and therapeutic gardens, providing public speakers and much
more.
Today (2000) state Master Gardener programs exist in every state in the US
and six Canadian provinces. It is estimated that over 60,000 volunteers
contribute hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours.
The Master Gardener International hosts a North American Continent conference
every other year in various locations and acts as a clearinghouse for ideas and
information. The United States is also divided into regions which hold Master
Gardener conferences on a biennial basis. Arkansas belongs to the Southern
Region.
The state of Arkansas adopted the Master Gardener program in 1988 in four
counties and it now exists in over half of Arkansas’ seventy-five counties.
The University of Arkansas Master Gardeners meet as a group annually in
various locations around the state hosted by the local Master Gardener program.
This two-day event is an opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, tour
local private and public gardens, and visit with other Master Gardeners.
Another opportunity for the University of Arkansas Master Gardener exists in
the form of the annual horticulture tour currently hosted by Janet Carson,
Cooperative Extension Horticulture Specialist and State Master Gardener Program
Coordinator. Previous destinations have included Chicago, Great Britain, and the
Biltmore Estate.
County 76 is a state level organization designed to replace the State
Advisory Board, and it will use the county program process as an
organizational model. County 76 members will act as state staff, help set
policy, and provide guidance to county programs. State programs will be
County 76 "projects."
The "County Agent" is replaced by the State MG Coordinator (Janet
Carson), and the officers will be elected from the membership of County 76.
The projects will focus on organizational, leadership, and general
management issues. County 76 members will decide which projects will be
created, and each member will decide on which project he/she wants to work
on.
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