Master Gardner Program
The Master Gardener program is part of a national effort to enhance public education in consumer horticulture through the use of volunteers. In 2002, Lendonwood Gardens joined with the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service to organize a Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Twenty-five students were selected for the initial 10-week training program.
Since then, the OSU program has graduated many Grand Lake area residents who have contributed thousands of hours of volunteer service to the community. Many of the volunteer hours were completed at Lendonwood Gardens.
Volunteers in the Master Gardener program gain useful information and skills to benefit them personally as gardeners. More importantly, they are able to interact with other gardening enthusiasts, help their community and develop a resource base of information.
In Delaware County, Master Gardeners participate in monthly planning and training meetings to organize volunteer activities and gain further specialized training. Some of the volunteer services they have provided include diagnosing plant, insect and disease problems for other gardeners in the community, organizing local Arbor Day events, assisting Leach, Oklahoma, elementary school, Children Learn from the Garden program and participation in the Downtown Grove Revitalization Committee.
The Delaware County Extension office can provide additional information about the Master Gardener program and the next Master Gardener class. The Extension office can be reached at: 918-253-4332.