Master Gardeners
Planting the Seed and Paving the Way For A New Generation of Gardeners Story and Photos by Lauren Payne/Staff Writer
Master Gardener programs, also known as Extension Master Gardener Programs, are local volunteer programs located all across the United States and Canada. These programs strive to foster both a passion and knowledge of gardening in young gardeners and adults alike. These programs are rooted in education, and that’s what makes them unique from other social garden clubs. “Every single meeting has an educational element and every meeting is different,” Agriculture Extension Educator for the Kay County OSU Extension, Shannon Mallory, said. “We also offer continued education, training, workshops and even a test to become certified. Master Gardeners continue to learn, so they can spread that knowledge to their communities.” Part of the experience of being an active Master Gardener also involves consultations. Members of the community, relatives and friends reach out for advice and sometimes assistance in keeping their plants healthy. The Kay County Extension had over 400 consultations in the Ponca City and Kay County area last year.
they’re always looking for more. A 10-week training course is offered in the fall, followed by a test to complete certification at the Pioneer Technology Center. Workshops are hands-on and taught by university professionals, department specialists and teachers that keep the content interesting and well-taught. The host of the Oklahoma Gardening show has also hosted workshops taking an in-depth look at landscaping.
Master Gardeners continue to learn so they can spread that knowledge to their communities.
“Not that we’re all experts, but you can contact a nearby Master Gardener for help,” Mallory continues. “Even if it’s like, ‘Hey, I’ve got a sickly tomato plant! Can you come check this out?’” The Kay County Extension also plans several activities for the young gardeners of our community. They support booths at the Herb Festival and the Kay County Free Fair. Kids at the Herb Festival can stop by and “Plant a Plant” to take home. At the fair, second to fourth graders come through to watch a 5- to 10-minute program on topics like the migration of a monarch butterfly, pollinator plants or the basics of how to plant a seed. The members also visit Washington preschool, with activities reaching 300-400 kids each year. Several Master Gardeners are former teachers and educators that combine their passions for educating with their continued passions for gardening. There are over 40 Master Gardeners in the Kay County Extension, and
Meetings are the first Thursday of every month. This month’s meeting was held outside at the Cann Gardens in Ponca City. Members are busy gearing up for their annual plant fundraiser and the Herb Festival. Last year, both events were canceled due to COVID-19, so they’re especially enthusiastic to kick this year off right. “It’s been interesting, but we’re really looking forward to the upcoming year and hopefully, things will get back to, well, the new normal,” Master Gardener of the Kay County Extension, Linda Heitz, said.
Heitz has been an active member of the Kay County Extension since 1999. “When we were new, we were trying to figure out just exactly what we were doing. The more we learned the better we got and the more fun we had. In over 20 years, we’ve gotten to travel to so many places we probably wouldn’t have without this group. When we were small and starting out, we used to invite the husbands to travel – which was great, because they carried the luggage,” Heitz joked. “Ninety percent of the time, we work outside helping someone. There’s a learning side and a helping side – we all enjoy both sides. Beginner gardeners will find out what works and what doesn’t, just like us Master Gardeners, as is the same in life,” Heitz commented. To help support the Master Gardeners plant fundraiser or for more information on how to join, contact Shannon Mallory at the OSU Extension office at 580-362-3194 or via email at shannon.mallory@okstate.edu. Order forms for the fundraiser are due by April 1 and can also be picked from any local Master Gardener.
April 2021
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