The Colorado Master Gardener Program: Planting Gardens, Growing People

Colorado Master Gardener Demonstration Garden
Local Food Production in Gunnison

Though many Gunnison County residents may believe that opportunities for growing edible plants are extremely limited due to the area’s extremely cold winters, there is a growing desire in our community to explore possibilities for producing more food locally.   Increasing awareness of the role that small-scale, local food production can play in creating a sustainable and healthy community has led many Gunnison County residents and Extension clients to ask: What types of plants can I grow in my garden in Gunnison County’s extremely cold climate and short growing season to provide food for myself, my family and my neighbors?

During the spring and summer of  2009, Colorado Master Gardener volunteers and staff at the CSU Extension Office in Gunnison County constructed the Cold Hardy Fruit Garden, a public demonstration, education and research garden focused on testing and displaying cold-hardy shrubs that have potential as excellent fruit-producing plants for Gunnison County gardens.  In addition to providing a resource for long-term research and public display, this garden will provide immediate and lasting educational opportunities for participants in the Colorado Master Gardener Program in Gunnison County.  We envision the garden becoming a site for hands-on education and training, with Colorado Master Gardener volunteers assisting Extension staff in garden construction, maintenance and collection of research data.

Contact Us

CSU Extension, Gunnison County Office
275 South Spruce
Gunnison, CO 81230-2719
Phone: 970-641-1260
Email: gunnison@mail.ext.colostate.edu
Fax: 970-641-8553

CMG Staff

• Eric McPhail, Agricultural Agent and County Extension Director