Photo of Katelyn Brinkerhoff, Extension

Katelyn Brinkerhoff

Master Gardener - Statewide Coordinator
she/her/hers

Summary

Katelyn has worked in various roles within the field of environmental education. Previously, she worked for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as the Horticulture Educator for Region 6. She worked with Extension Master Gardeners on creating and sustaining service projects, coordinating a yearly Master Gardener and Master Conservationist training, offering continuing education in conjunction with Extension specialists from around the country, and more. Her areas of interest include conservation, school gardens/gardening with youth, gleaning community engagement, and food equity.

Katelyn now serves as the Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator for the University of Nevada, Reno Extension. Within this role she coordinates the annual online two-part training with Extension content experts, creates and maintains the policies and procedures for the Extension Master Gardener program, and assists with volunteer management for Extension.

The Extension Master Gardener program is a volunteer educator program designed to teach research-based Nevada gardening practices to volunteers who in turn share this knowledge with their local communities through educational presentations and workshops, community events, answering home gardening questions at their local county Extension office, and much more.

To learn more about the Extension Master Gardener program, or to become an Extension Master Gardener volunteer, visit our website.

Education

East High School, 2013
Environmental Science, B.S. Buena Vista University, 2017

Programs

bee pollinating flower

4-H Teen Pollinator Ambassador Program

Establish a statewide, Nevada 4-H Pollinator Ambassador Program, creating awareness, education, outreach, and peer-to-peer educational opportunities for at least 10 Nevada youth and adult Extension professionals.

Pink, yellow, and purple native flowers in landscape surrounded by rock terrace landscaping

Home Horticulture Certificate Program

The Home Horticulture Certificate Program was developed by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Horticulture team to provide basic horticulture education to homeowners, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about the Nevada landscapes, plants, and more.

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

Honors and Awards

  • 2021 Extension Pivot Group Award - COVID-19 Exceptional Effort Award - Safe Mushroom Foraging Programs
  • 2021 Creativity in Service to All Iowans - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Regional Award
  • 2020 Outstanding Achievement in Advancement Award, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Annual Awards
  • 2019 Group Award (Woodbury County Master Gardeners) - Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award

Accomplishments

Grants

  • Stark, C., Brinkerhoff, K., Chvilicek, S., & Tesar, R. (2023-2024). Extension Volunteer Training. AmeriCorps and Nevada Volunteers, $25,000.
  • Chichester, L. M., Brinkerhoff, K., Chvilicek, S., & Bishop, C. (2022-2023). Nevada 4-H Pollinator Ambassador Program. National 4-H Council and Corteva Agriscience, $15,000.

Certifications

  • Flying WILD Professional Training, Project WILD, 2022
  • Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training, Texas A&M Extension, 2022
  • Youth Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Behavioral Health, 2020
  • Coming Together for Racial Understanding, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 2020
  • Iowa Master Gardener Certificate, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 2018
  • Navigating Difference, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 2018

Presentations and Posters

  • Brinkerhoff, K., Daugherty, J., & Lester, W. (2022). Virtual Engagement Leads to Hands-On Results for Extension Master Gardener Volunteers [Poster Presentation]. 2022 National Extension Master Gardener Coordinators Conference, Savannah, GA.
  • Brinkerhoff, K., Carleton, K., & Johnston, K. (2022). Evolving During Changing Times: Implementing Accessible Extension Programs Through the Use of Technology [Conference Presentation]. 2022 National Extension Master Gardener Coordinators Conference, Savannah, GA.
  • Brinkerhoff, K., Daugherty, J., & Lester, W. (2021). Virtual Classes and The New Normal: Lockdown Learning Produces a Homegrown Crop of Master Gardeners [Conference Presentation]. 2021 International Master Gardener Conference, Virginia.

Articles

Service

  • 2023 - Present, University of Nevada, Reno Extension Child Safety and Fingerprint Committee, Co-chair
  • 2023 - Present, University of Nevada, Reno Extension Annual Conference Planning Committee, Member
  • 2021 - Present, National Extension Master Gardener Peer Mentorship and Learning Working Group, Chair
  • 2021 - Present, University of Nevada, Reno Extension Master Gardener Working Group, Chair
  • 2021, Sioux City Farmers Market Board, Director/Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Woodbury County Representative
  • 2020 - 2021, Sioux City Garden Club, 2nd Vice President
  • 2019 - 2021, Iowa Master Gardener Advisory Committee, Committee Member
  • 2019 - 2021, Siouxland Food Policy Council, Committee Member/Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Representative
  • 2019 - 2020, Sioux City Garden Club, General Member
  • 2018 - 2021, Iowa Master Gardener Program, Volunteer

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Informational Publications
Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Handbook
This document is intended to be an operational guide and reference tool for Extension professionals and volunteers involved in the Extension Master Gardener program to help accomplish the mission and values of the program and Extension through the outreach within our Nevada communities.
Brinkerhoff, K. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
lettuce seedlings
Northern Area (Reno) Planting Schedule
Find out when to plant vegetables with the Extension Master Gardener's planting guide for the Reno area!
Brinkerhoff, K. 2023, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno