Gov. Dayton Recognizes Volunteers in Master Gardener Program

Letter to the Community:

Governor Dayton has declared July 19 as University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Day. We appreciate this acknowledgement of our program and also want to express our sincere enthusiasm in serving the citizens of Washington County by providing expertise and advice concerning all things horticultural.

Gardening is a passion and tradition for Master Gardeners as it is for many, many members of our community. Each year Master Gardeners continue their education through classes, seminars and meetings so they can provide the best research-based horticultural information to the public. We enjoy meeting other gardeners and sharing our knowledge at “Ask a Master Gardener” booths during special community events, at diagnostic clinics, while teaching classes, during the annual FamilyMeans St. Croix garden tour, and at other area events.

Since 2009, our program no longer receives funding from Washington County. The support of the residents of Washington County has been very important to the future of our program. Despite the lack of county funding and clerical support, our program is thriving through the efforts of our 130 well-trained volunteers and connection with the University of Minnesota Extension.

Each June our largest fundraiser, the highly successful annual plant sale, helps provide the dollars to sustain our program through the year so we can continue our many projects. Washington County fair time is just around the corner and Master Gardeners have been hard at work preparing the “Fairest Garden” for visitors to the fair. Last year more than 5,400 fairgoers stopped by the gardens to see what was growing and ask questions about their own gardens. We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Master Gardeners in Washington County

University of Minnesota Extension