A compilation of Master Gardener activities through the years, from demonstration gardens to tabling at the State Fair.

Delaware Master Gardener program now accepting fall applications!

April 16, 2021 Written by Carrie Murphy, Extension Educator — Horticulture

Master Gardener Volunteer Educators play a key role in distributing information, through outreach and education programs, on environmentally-friendly practices for the home and community gardener. Topics include integrated pest and disease management, plant identification and selection, vegetable production, lawn management, landscape design and wildlife habitat development.

Master Gardeners are vital links in an educational chain that begins with research from the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the horticulture industry. Education is at the heart of all Master Gardener activities, which can take many forms, including teaching by example and demonstration and hands-on work with people of all ages.

Master Gardener volunteer educators have undergone training in a wide variety of horticultural and environmental topics coupled with training in educational methods and program evaluation. Monthly meetings bring all volunteers together to continue the learning process. The result is volunteers committed to our communities to help county residents improve the quality of their lives.

The Master Gardeners’ outreach effort is organized and carried out by distinct program areas in each county. This includes Home Gardener Workshops, Speakers’ Bureau, the “Garden Line” telephone service, demonstration gardens and programs focused on youth education as well. Additional programs offer educational enrichment opportunities to our volunteers and seek ways in which to increase Master Gardener visibility and involvement in the community. Meeting the educational needs of thousands of citizens requires the dedication, creativity and hard work of many volunteers. 
 

Are you interested in becoming a Delaware Master Gardener?
Statewide training begins in Fall 2021! 

 


Related News

  • Trade Winds: Understanding the Shifting Landscape of Agricultural Exports

    April 19, 2024 | Written by Kofi Britwum, Assistant Professor of Farm Management and Agricultural Economics (britwum@udel.edu)
    Drought conditions experienced in Brazil in 2023 could mean a lower-than-expected soybean harvest. If you are outside mainstream agricultural production, you may rightly wonder whether this information has anything to do with you. Not directly, perhaps. But, thanks to international trade, events in other parts of the world can have a telling impact on populations thousands of miles away. In the specific case of soybean, given Brazil's recent status as the largest exporter, reduced production levels, in addition to other factors, could present an opportunity for higher prices for American soybean farmers in international markets, which is welcome news.
  • Volunteers Helping Delawareans Stay Healthy

    April 12, 2024 | Written by Gina Crist, Community Health Specialist and Health and Well-Being Program Leader
    Did you know Extension has a group of volunteers that work across the state to support health and wellness? We do! They are called Master Wellness Volunteers, and they are champions in the community for health! Each volunteer has received training and is equipped with knowledge about health equity, youth and adult partnerships, and social determinants of health. Master Wellness Volunteers serve as Walk Club Leaders, Community and School Garden Coordinators, Mindfulness and Well-being Educators and Food Educators - serving the community in a variety of ways. Leaders of walk clubs are there to support individuals looking to improve their wellness through walking while connecting with others.
  • Selecting a Drone for Crop Scouting

    April 08, 2024 | Written by Jarrod Miller, Agronomy Specialist
    After ten years the drone market has become fairly reliable, but it may still be confusing when deciding what kind of drone you may want. There are several types of drones available, with the most common being a quadcopter, which could be considered a micro-helicopter with four propellers (Figure 1a). Other options include a fixed-wing (airplane, Figure 1b), hybrid, or coaxial. A hybrid will take off like a quadcopter by flying like an airplane, helping land in tight spaces but using less battery during flight. Both fixed-wing and hybrids are better for field mapping useful in reconstructing whole fields for precision agriculture applications. For field scouting, the best option is the standard quadcopter, particularly as it can hover overtop of the field, stop at the edges, and land on the back of a truck.
View all news

Events