Mahaska County Master Gardeners held their annual Celebration of their activities in 2023 on January 30, 2024. A wonderful potluck was enjoyed by many members and their spouses/guests.
After completing initial training, members perform 40 hours of volunteer service. Two members completed their 40 hours and earned their permanent name badge in 2023. Five individuals completed training in 2023 and are currently completing their volunteer service.
To remain an active member, they perform 20 hours of volunteer service and attend 10 hours of continuing education annually. Five members preformed more than 25 hours of volunteer service in 2022, and seven preformed more than 50 hours of volunteer service. Twelve members completed more than 15 hours of continuing education in 2022.
One member reached the 5 year mark and six reached the 20 year mark as Master Gardeners.
In 2023, as a group, they performed and recorded over 941 hours of volunteer service and attended 400 hours of continuing education. As part of their volunteer service, the Mahaska County Master Gardeners offered 14 hours of horticulture education to Mahaska County. This is in addition to the 19 hours of hosted webinars from Iowa Master Gardeners and other non biased research based sources.
Mahaska County Master Gardeners are celebrating their twenty first year. The local program organized after the county held their first training in 2003. The educational volunteer program, sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provides current, research based, home horticulture information and education to the citizens of Iowa through programs and projects. Master Gardeners receive horticulture training, and volunteer to promote a mission of education and service. The program is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community. They will celebrate at an open house to be held January 19, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Mahaska County Extension office.
Mahaska County is offering hybrid Master Gardener training February 26-May 3, 2024. Registration is due February 12. More information about this and other horticulture events can be found at the Mahaska County Extension Office; 212 North I Street; Oskaloosa Phone 641-673-5841; and www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/yardgarden.htm.
