In this edition
- 2024 Extension Master Gardener Annual Report
- Branded Apparel Reminder
- County News - Carson City / Storey Master Gardeners Receive Grant
- 2025 International Search for Excellence Awards - Due May 1st!
- 2025 International Master Gardener Conference Registration
- Home Horticulture Certification is now open
- Extension Master Gardener Handbook - Online
- National Survey - Integrated Pest
- Management Training
- Master Gardener Events
2024 Extension Master Gardener Annual Report
Authored by Katelyn Brinkerhoff, Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible dedication and generosity of our Master Gardener volunteers. The Master Gardener’s time, effort, and passion have been the driving force behind our mission, and we are excited to share the impact of their contributions in this year’s Extension Master Gardener Annual Report.
In the pages that follow, you will find a detailed look at the collective hours served, the milestones we have reached, and the lives that have been touched through their commitment to providing research-based horticulture education to their communities. The numbers tell a story of dedication, but beyond the data, they represent the real difference they have made throughout Nevada.
This report is not just a summary of figures; it is a celebration of the hard work and an acknowledgment of the countless ways our Master Gardener volunteers have enriched the lives of others.
We invite you to explore the report and take pride in the remarkable achievements of the Master Gardener volunteers have accomplished. As we look ahead, we are excited for another year of service, impact, and working together to make a difference.
With deepest appreciation,
Katelyn Brinkerhoff
Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator
Request a PDF of Annual Report
Extension Master Gardener Branded Apparel
We are so excited to see everyone in their branded Extension Master Gardener apparel! I just wanted to remind everyone that altering the Master Gardener identifier on the apparel is prohibited.
To help keep consistency and unified appearance, please do not:
- Add personal embroidery, patches, etc. to items
- Create your own apparel items using the Master Gardener identifier
We appreciate the enthusiasm to represent yourself as a Master Gardener, but we just want to make sure we are following all our brand guidelines (University, College, and Extensions guidelines).
"As a part of the University of Nevada, Reno, the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources and Extension, it is important that we create a unified look that displays our connection to the university through the Master Gardener program. Our goal is that our brand is recognized and valued in Nevada communities."
UNR Extension Master Gardener Handbook, pg. 13.
If you have any questions about branding, please reach out to your local coordinator.
UNR Extension Brand Guide
Carson City / Storey Master Gardeners Secure Grant
Master Gardener volunteers were awarded a grant from the Foundation Seed Program to grow Achnatherum hymenoides (Indian Rice Grass), with the intent of increasing the total amount of available seed. This will also benefit our community by providing an opportunity to raise community awareness of native plants, as well as wildfire education and preparedness.
Congratulations to the Carson City / Storey County Master Gardener volunteers!
2025 David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence Awards
Due May 1st!
Nominate your county!
The International Master Gardener Search for Excellence (SFE) Awards are named in honor of Dr. David Gibby, the visionary founder of the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program. Dr. Gibby launched the program in 1973 while working as a horticulture agent with Washington State University Extension. He recognized the growing need to provide homeowners with accurate and reliable gardening advice. With demand increasing and resources limited, he devised a groundbreaking solution: training and utilizing volunteers to assist with public inquiries.
This innovative concept of enlisting and educating volunteers to serve as community gardening experts quickly gained traction and has since become an international movement, with over 96,000 certified Master Gardener volunteers worldwide. Dr. Gibby’s vision has had a profound impact on fostering horticultural knowledge, sustainability, and community outreach across the globe.
The David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding volunteer work of EMG volunteers throughout the United States, Canada, and South Korea.
Please have your submission reviewed by your local coordinator before submitting!
Submissions Website
Registration for the 2025 International Master Gardener Conference is now OPEN!
A virtual event of epic proportions!
Join us for IMGC 2025, a four-day celebration of gardening, innovation, and sustainability! Gain insights from experts, explore global gardening practices, and connect with passionate gardeners working to make a difference. Discover new techniques, embrace sustainable solutions, and be part of the effort shaping the future of our planet.
Why Virtual?
Beyond Our Borders, There is so much to Discover!
Discover innovative practices, learn from experts, and connect with fellow gardeners dedicated to making a positive impact on our planet. Let’s grow a greener future together!
- Extends the event’s reach and lifespan. Eliminates physical limitations and time constraints.
- Cost-effective, making the event accessible to more participants.
Offers flexibility and convenience.
- Reduces environmental impact.
- Provides access to all sessions and speakers for five months post-conference
- Enhances accessibility, reaching a broader audience and attracting diverse speakers.
- Facilitates faster dissemination of information.
Register today!
Registration for the Home Horticulture Certificate Program is now OPEN!
Do you have some friends or family interest in becoming a Master Gardener volunteer?
This program covers home gardening in all parts of the state of Nevada! The Home Horticulture Certificate Program was developed by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Horticulture team from around the state to provide basic horticulture education to homeowners, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about the Nevada landscapes, plants, and more. Topics address information on gardening specific to Southern Nevada, Northern Nevada, and rural counties.
The program is completely online through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension. The program includes pre-recorded lectures, reading, homework, and live Q & A sessions every Thursday from 12 - 1 p.m. with horticulture professionals.
The Home Horticulture Certificate Program is Part 1 of the Master Gardener Training.
Registration link
Extension Master Gardener Handbook - Online
Authored by Katelyn Brinkerhoff, Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator
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. The handbook will be reviewed regularly by Extension professionals and volunteers to ensure its relevance and accuracy in meeting the needs of the Extension professionals and volunteers.
This document is a living document, but when updates occur, they will be communicated with our Extension professionals and volunteers.
Counties within Nevada may have a county handbook that includes additional county-specific information. Please be in contact with your county.
Volunteer Handbook
Measuring Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Knowledge and Barriers to Volunteerism
Dear Master Gardener Volunteer,
We invite you to participate in a short, anonymous survey to help us better understand the experiences, knowledge, and motivations of Extension Master Gardener volunteers like you, being conducted by Clemson University.
Your input will help:
- Assess knowledge and confidence in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Identify motivations and barriers to volunteering
- Improve training and support for current and future volunteers
The survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete and is entirely voluntary. No personal information will be collected, and your responses will remain confidential.
Our goal is to collect 50 responses from each state. The survey is open from April 21, 2025 until June 1, 2025.
Link to survey: https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9SSC6x9uN4Ip1bg
Thank you for your time and for everything you do to support your community as a Master Gardener!
Warm regards,
Drew Jeffers
Horticulture Agent Clemson University Cooperative Extension – Greenville County
ajeffe3@clemson.edu
