MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM
ADAMS COUNTY

The Master Gardener program began in Adams County in 1990, with two Master Gardeners supporting the program. Total number of Master Gardenrs for Adams County has grown immensely since than, totaling 58 members. These people have committed their time and knowledge to assist Penn State Cooperative Extension in educating groups as well as individuals on proper horticultural practices. They have been trained to share their gardening knowledge with county residents under the direction of Penn State Cooperative Extension. An important outreach of Penn State Extension is the Master Gardeners' lecture series available any time of year to groups who are interested in garden related topics. Master Gardeners reach out to children, seniors and the underprivileged to teach them about horticulture. This is done through demonstrations, lectures, and hands-on presentations throughout the county.

Master Gardeners provide educational training and hands-on demonstrations in:
plant selection
weed, insect and disease identification
composting
landscape design
pest control
park improvement
vegetable gardening
tree pruning and care
community gardening.... and more

Master Gardeners cooperate with local organizations, schools and service clubs and provide speakers on a wide variety of gardening topics. They provide a link between their community and Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Some of the volunteer activities Adams County Master Gardeners participate in are: working with groups on community beautification creating demonstration gardens and trial gardens teaching plant science to school-age children teaching horticulture to adults answering gardening questions holding plant clinics throughout the County teaching environmentally sound gardening to community groups writing articles for local newspapers establishing garden programs for special-needs audiences working with community gardens hosting a weekly TV gardening show

For more information about the Adams County Master Gardeners, contact the Extension Office at (717) 334-6271 or 888-472-0261( inside Pennsylania only) or e-mail Mary Ann Ryan, Master Gardener Coordinator at mar35@psu.edu.

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