In 2024, Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener volunteers met Oregonians where they were. Across the state, people were looking for affordable, healthy food, practical and culturally meaningful gardening education, and outdoor spaces that were welcoming, accessible and climate smart.
Many communities were also working to strengthen local food systems so fresh produce could reach individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Together, Master Gardener volunteers contributed 157,213 hours of service in 2024 — the equivalent of 77 full-time staff positions — and delivered more than $5.46 million in community value.
Volunteers responded. Together, they contributed 157,213 hours of service — the equivalent of 77 full-time staff positions — and delivered more than $5.46 million in community value.
They answered 41,084 gardening questions, supported 102 community and demonstration gardens and helped grow and donate 40 tons of fresh produce to people who needed it most.
Food security was a consistent focus. Seed to Supper — OSU Extension’s signature education program focused on growing affordable, healthy food — expanded in rural and urban communities. From Lebanon to Port Orford, neighbors gathered to learn the basics of tending herbs, vegetables and soil.
In Clatsop County, Master Gardener volunteers worked with migrant families to grow culturally meaningful crops. Children learned about soil, insects and nutrition through hands-on activities with Master Gardener volunteers and nutrition educators.
In Douglas County, the Victory Garden showed this work in action. It produced more than 10,000 pounds of fresh, nutrient-rich produce for local food pantries. Volunteers planted, harvested, washed and delivered so nutritious, locally grown food stayed in the community.
Gardens became year-round classrooms. Across the 102 gardens statewide, Master Gardener volunteers created outdoor learning spaces where community members explored sustainability practices, climate-smart gardening, pollinator protection and fire-resilient landscaping.
In Benton County, demonstration gardens featured Asian vegetables, Indigenous squash and drought-tolerant plantings. More than 250 educational signs supported self-guided learning. In Lane County, volunteers developed eco-lawns and native plant displays so residents could choose landscaping approaches that support wildlife habitat, conserve water and reduce inputs.
Master Gardener volunteers also reached audiences that have not always seen themselves reflected in gardening programs. They offered bilingual learning opportunities, built accessible planting spaces and strengthened partnerships with organizations serving youth, older adults and communities facing housing or financial instability.
In Washington County, Master Gardener volunteers collaborated with HomePlate to teach gardening skills to LGBTQ+ and unhoused youths preparing for employment and community leadership. In Umatilla County, children in transitional housing planted raised beds and discovered giant earthworms, building curiosity, confidence and a sense of belonging in the garden.
Libraries continued to serve as trusted sites. In Jackson County, older adults explored indoor gardening. In Polk County, families followed StoryWalk trails through the Inspiration Garden and joined hands-on workshops rooted in science and creativity.
The Master Gardener Program also continued to innovate. In 2024, OSU Extension faculty in Central Oregon presented ECCO — a community engagement tracking tool designed to improve program impact evaluation — at the National Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Conference.
OSU Extension publications and educational resources earned regional and national awards. This reinforced Oregon’s reputation for excellence in horticulture education and climate-resilient gardening guidance.
Because of these actions, more Oregonians had access to locally grown produce, practical gardening knowledge and welcoming community spaces. Food pantries received steady deliveries of fresh vegetables. Residents saw culturally relevant crops in demonstration beds and understood how to grow them at home. Youth and families found places to learn together.
This tradition of service and innovation continues to grow. In 2026, the Master Gardener Program will celebrate 50 years in Oregon — half a century of empowering gardeners, strengthening communities and nurturing our shared connection to the land. The program is well positioned to plant the seeds of the next 50 years of learning, leadership and community-powered change.
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