The Colorado Master Gardener Program: Planting Gardens, Growing People


The Colorado Master Gardener Program
in Gunnison County


Colorado Master Gardener volunteers maintain a positive and consistent presence in Gunnison County, offering research-based gardening information to a diverse gardening public through numerous programs and activities.

The CMG Program in Gunnison County averages 12 apprentice Master Gardeners each year, with approximately 20 continuing Master Gardeners who remain active in the program following their first year of volunteer service.  In 2010, Colorado Master Gardener volunteers are anticipated to contribute over 700 hours of volunteer outreach activities in Gunnison County.  


CMG Vegetable Workshop in GunnisonCommunity Outreach Projects


  • Initiating community garden programs.
  • Developing public demonstration and educational gardens.
  • Leading school gardening programs and other educational programs for youth.
  • Staffing informational booths at local farmer’s markets.
  • Writing research-based articles for local print and web media.
  • Providing horticultural information to over 150 visitors and callers to the CSU Extension office in Gunnison County.
  • Offering on-site consulting to over 25 Gunnison County property and business owners.
  • Leading public gardening workshops and educational programs.
  • Partnering with Western State College in Gunnison to offer gardening programs for college students.

Tree Pruning WorkshopEducation for Volunteers


  • Basic training for CMG volunteers is provided at the Gunnision County Extension Office via distance education technology. The interactive classes classes meet on Thursdays, in January through April.

  • Gunnison County Extension offers CMG volunteers a variety of continuing education opportunities, including the following in 2010.
  • Six monthly Backyard Food Production Workshops throughout the spring, summer and fall.
  • Three monthly on-site diagnostic workshops during the summer.
  • A  garden tour led by Dr. Curtis Swift of CSU Extension in Mesa County.
  • An extended studies course developed in conjunction with Western State College and CSU Extension specialists throughout Colorado focused on small-scale, sustainable food production.
  • Gunnison County CMG volunteers also participate in continuing education opportunities with neighboring counties, such as:
  • Diagnostic Training in Montrose and Mesa Counties
  • Colorado Pesticide Applicators Workshops in Mesa County
  • Advanced Master Gardener Diagnostic Training at Colorado State University

Summary


  • CMG volunteers: 32
  • Annual volunteer hours: 700
  • Annual value of volunteer time: $15,100

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