Media Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu

County cuts eliminate funding for U of M Extension Master Gardener program in Washington County

ST. PAUL, Minn. (5/7/2009) — The elimination of 2009 Washington County funding for the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener program in Washington County leaves local Master Gardener volunteers in transition. Master Gardeners are University trained volunteers who assist Extension in delivering research based information on horticulture and environmental stewardship to citizens in Minnesota. The ending of funding from Washington County will result in the elimination of a part-time coordinator who manages the 120 Master Gardener volunteers in Washington County. 

While the program is no longer funded by Washington County, University of Minnesota Extension and the Master Gardener volunteers in Washington County are committed to continue providing local residents with relevant educational programs and information on gardening and environmental related topics. Master Gardener volunteers in Washington County are working closely with University leaders to restructure the program to make that possible. 

Many of the currently scheduled programs and services in Washington County that are provided by Master Gardeners will continue through the growing season. Expect to find Master Gardeners teaching community education classes, conducting classes at various demonstration gardens around the county, answering plant and insect questions at events and businesses, and continuing to partner with conservation and watershed districts to deliver education on rain gardens and other environmental topics.

Beginning June 1, Master Gardeners and horticulture information will no longer be available through the County Extension office in Stillwater. The public can find contact and referral information at www.extension.umn.edu/washington or by calling (763) 767-3578.

The Master Gardener program in Washington County was established over 30 years ago and was one of the first county Extension Master Gardener programs in Minnesota. Today there are more than 2,000 Master Gardener volunteers who deliver University-based horticulture education through county Extension programs across the state.

Source: David Moen, State Master Gardener Program Manager with University of Minnesota Extension

URL: http:// www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2009/county-cuts-eliminate.html  This page was updated May 7, 2009 .
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