In Northern Kentucky, a volunteer-driven program is giving plant lovers the chance to turn their hobby into a certified way of serving the community.
The master gardener program is a volunteer-based program that has operated within the state for over 50 years. County extension offices train and provide education to individuals, and upon completion, they do volunteer work to obtain their certification.
“I think one of the treasures for this program is that it provides a safe space for like-minded gardening individuals who have had a different type of professional background, personal background, and this gives them a safe space to learn something new, and also just meet new people,” said Campbell County Horticulture Extension Agent Sarah Imbus.
Campbell County is the hosting county for the 11-week volunteer training program, but it is open to all Campbell, Kenton and Boone County residents. Subjects for the college-course-level topics include botany, tree identification, soils, propagation, disease and insect identification and more.
Imbus said they also accept residents from counties that do not have a master gardener program, like Pendleton County.
Master gardener and Campbell County volunteer Joellen Mitchell said she enrolled in the Kenton County program in 2018-2019 and has been volunteering at the Campbell County location since 2020.
Campbell County volunteers. Photo provided | Campbell County Extension Office
Mitchell said she has always had a passion for plants, both indoors and outdoors. After she retired, a friend mentioned the master gardening program at the cooperative extension offices.
“Being with others that share the passion for gardening has benefited me in many ways,” Mitchell said. “The love of the outdoors, staying active and working with flowers and plants brings joy to my day. The staff are patient, kind, make us laugh at times and we know they appreciate us.”
After the completion of the program requirements and volunteering 40 hours with the new knowledge at extension-approved sites, participants become certified master gardeners.
The program is being held on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, Feb. 20 through April 24, 2026. The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 30. Classes will be held at the Kenton County Extension Durr Education Center at 450 Kenton Lands Road in Erlanger.
Imbus said about 90% of the 11-week program is taught by extension, horticulture, personnel, but they also reach out to some of the University of Kentucky specialists and can pull in from other local specialists.
“For me as an educator, the most fun ones to teach are pathology, which is plant disease and plant health,” Imbus said. “Looking through a microscope to look at different spore developments, understanding the difference between environmental, abiotic, or disease, biotic, symptoms, and signs. It’s hands-on.”
The counties are also benefiting from the services of master gardeners. According to Imbus, approximately $25,000 was saved through the volunteer hours contributed at Campbell County sites.
“I think that is one of many reasons why people come back-it’s the appreciation of our community on what we do and provide here in Campbell County,” Imbus said.
Campbell County volunteers. Photo provided | Campbell County Extension Office
She said the county has an education garden, open to the general public with no fee, and it is maintained by the hard-working hands of about 18 volunteers every Friday from April until November.
Peggy Hoffman is another master gardener and Campbell County volunteer.
“You meet lifelong friends who enjoy all the same things,” Hoffman said. “Playing in the dirt is what we do. Even at 75.”
The master gardener program does come with a fee of $70, which is due upon acceptance of the application. There will be an additional fee of $30 for a background check, which is due midway through the course. A background check is required to do volunteer work in the community.
An in-person interview will be conducted after the application has been submitted. For more information and to apply, contact Terri Turner at (859)-572-2600 or tturner@uky.edu. Those accepted to the program will be notified via email by Nov. 17.
Related
Comments are closed.