Missouri Extension Master Gardener program welcomes new volunteers

Donna Aufdenberg is an MU Extension field specialist in horticulture in Cape Girardeau County.

JACKSON, Mo. – The mission of the Missouri Extension Master Gardener Program is helping others learn to grow. Through educational seminars, workshops, speaker programs, demonstration gardens and community outreach events, the program increases public awareness of University of Missouri Extension as a trusted source of unbiased, research-based horticultural information. Each year, Master Gardeners help thousands of Missourians make informed gardening and landscape decisions.

To become a certified Master Gardener, participants complete 30 hours of core horticulture training and then contribute 30 hours of volunteer service through approved MU Extension educational activities. This service-first model ensures that research-based knowledge is shared directly with local communities.

In July, 13 participants successfully completed the 12-week Master Gardener training program in Jackson, Mo. The course covered a range of topics, including plant growth and development, vegetable and flower gardening, fruit production, trees and shrubs, insect and disease management, soils and fertility, landscaping, and lawn care.

These newly trained volunteers join a statewide network of Master Gardeners who serve as ambassadors for MU Extension. Their efforts strengthen community access to reliable gardening information and expand local educational opportunities. These volunteers have already begun assisting Cape Girardeau County residents with plant and insect diagnostics, writing educational newsletter articles, delivering presentations to gardening groups and maintaining demonstration gardens that serve as hands-on learning sites for the public.

The impact of these volunteers extends beyond gardening advice. By sharing research-based recommendations, they help residents improve plant health, enhance environmental stewardship and increase the success of home and community landscapes. Their volunteer service also strengthens community connections and supports lifelong learning across the county. One trainee reported, “Already, I have learned so much and have been able to help others by offering plant advice and physical gardening help. I am excited that I was able to co-teach a class already.”

In the coming year, new members will have opportunities to help organize a spring gardening seminar, assist with greenhouse transplant production, coordinate a youth gardening camp and participate in educational programs featuring regional horticulture experts. Through these activities, volunteers will continue to expand the reach of MU Extension while developing leadership skills, building relationships and contributing meaningful service to their communities.

The success of the Missouri Master Gardener Program is rooted in the dedication, talent and expertise of its volunteers. Together, past and current members continue to make a lasting impact by helping others learn to grow.