The Master Gardener concept was started in 1972 when the Extension Agent/Farm Advisor in Snohomish County, Washington, could no longer handle the calls from the growing number of ‘urban’ farmers in his area. The concept of a group of trained volunteers with the specific goal

of assisting the farm advisor was contemplated. A core group of interested gardeners was recruited and trained by the local land grant university cooperative

extension office to meet the need. This was the beginning of the Master Gardener Program. (Source: Master Gardener International)

Today, state Master Gardener programs exist in every state in the US and six Canadian provinces. It is estimated that over 60,000 volunteers contribute hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours. Arkansas adopted the Master Gardener program in 1988 in four counties, and it now exists in over half of Arkansas’ seventy-five counties. click here for state program

The Baxter County Master Gardener program began in 1994. Since then, 320 individuals have completed the training program with 126 continuing as active members. Since the program started, BCMG members have reported 47,268 volunteer work hours and 31,730 educational hours for recertification through September 30, 2005.