Experienced New York Master Gardener Volunteers came to campus in June 2005 to upgrade their knowledge base and learn creative new ways to function as Master Gardeners.

Interested gardeners learn basic horticultural skills in regions of New York before qualifying as official Master Gardeners. They then practice as volunteers to enrich the knowledge of other county residents. The daily requirements of their function as Master Gardeners often do not stretch them beyond the art and science of home gardening. We feel that, as key figures in the extension education team, they can do far more than distribute gardening facts. They have an opportunity to spread a social and natural-resource message to their constituents.

By participating in the 2005 New York State Master Gardener Conference at Cornell in June, Master Gardeners were challenged to think about social responsibility and the natural world beyond home gardening. These two themes for the conference were presented to upgrade the breadth of their value as paraprofessionals, augmenting extension programming in the state. A stimulating and thought-provoking keynote address underscored their role in creating a sense of community through horticulture. A field trip for all participants to the teaching and research forest at Cornell created an opportunity to learn more about the natural world so that they could pass that kind of information along to other county residents.

As these Master Gardeners return to their home counties, they influence other Master Gardeners and other residents of the county to be more proactive in promoting a community theme through horticulture. They also have a stronger sense of the ecosystems of the natural world and begin to think of their work in gardening not just as a private experience, but as one that fits with a larger world view.

• Federal Formula Funds - Extension (e.g., Smith Lever, RREA)
• Registration fees for the 2005 NYS Master Gardener Conference.

• Naalamle Amissah
• 7 Faculty and staff
• Dr. Scott Peters