MISSOURI MASTER GARDENERS PROVIDE HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION
Extension Education
Kate Kammler
Field Specialist in Horticulture
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION
SAINTE GENEVIEVE
Abstract
\r\n The mission of the Missouri Master Gardener Extension Program is “helping others learn to grow.” The Master Gardener program provides in depth horticultural training to individuals throughout Missouri who then volunteer their time applying what they have learned to help others in their communities to learn about gardening and environmental education. The Parkland Master Gardener group contributes to community education by sponsoring and organizing an annual Gardening Symposium. The symposium starts with a keynote speaker and then a variety of breakout sessions are offered. In four years, the attendance has grown from 50 to 200 participants. The Parkland group has embraced the greater interest that the public has shown in horticulture by increasing the number of sessions offered and varying the topics so there is something to entice everyone. The University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener program training provided the education for the Parkland group to feel confident in organizing the symposium every year to offer educational opportunities on gardening to the community. Master Gardeners teach classes on topics they are experts in and locate other specialists in the field to teach the remaining classes. The symposium not only offers education on a variety of horticulture topics but exposes people to the Master Gardener program and the volunteer opportunities that are available. Funds raised at the symposium allow the Parkland Master Gardeners to provide a scholarship to a horticulture student at the local community college.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
Click to view Poster
Authors: K. J. Kammler
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Kammler, K. Plant Science Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 63670