The Master Gardener program began in the 1970's in response to the many gardening questions that resulted from the rapidly increasing level of interest in home gardening. The idea was to train knowledgeable gardener volunteers to help University Extension staff deliver home gardening information to the public.

Our local Master Gardeners are able to build on their interests and acquire greater expertise through the resources available through the Extension Service and the University of Missouri.

University of Missouri Extension provides equal opportunity to all participants in extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Hickory County Master Gardeners recommend contacting your local Extension Service for more complete plant and growing information and how to become a Master Gardener.

Meetings are reserved for Master Gardener members, but community programs hosted by the Master Gardeners are public events and will be announced in the local newspaper.

As of 12/31/2014, this blog will no longer post new articles. It will remain active as an archive. Please use the tools available in the right column to search for information and source links provided in previous articles.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://extension.missouri.edu/ and http://mg.missouri.edu/.


2014 HCMG Fundraising Dinner

The Annual Hickory County Master Gardeners' Fundraiser Dinner was held Sunday, October 19th at the McCarty Senior Center in Wheatland, Missouri.  This is one of two events held each year to raise funds to support 14 Service Projects throughout Hickory County.  The 40+ trained volunteers put in a total of at least 1000 hours to promote the University of Missouri Extension's program to "help others learn to grow" and the beautification of public areas with plants, as well as grow vegetables to be used in the community senior center and Meals on Wheels program for qualified individuals.  The other main fundraising project is the Annual Plant Sale where Master Gardeners grow plants in the Greenhouse to sell to the public each spring.

The Service Projects in 2014 are:

1.    Galmey VFW
2.    Greenhouse
3.    Hermitage Community Building
4.    Hermitage Courthouse
5.    Hermitage Library
6.    Hermitage Hornet Garden
7.    Hermitage Welcome Signs
8.    McCarty Donation Gardens
9.    McCarty Senior Center Landscaping
10.  Pittsburg Community Building
11.  Preston Post Office
12.  Wheatland Settler's Village
13.  Weaubleau Memorial Garden
14.  Gardeners Companion Blog


Succulent Pumpkin Planters on a Quilt Square were creatively made by our Master Gardeners and used as centerpieces on all the tables.  The person at each table whose birthday was closest to the day got to take one home.

The annual event was well attended by the community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hickory County Master Gardeners worked all year on a quilt which included selling raffle tickets.  Last chance to buy a ticket was at the front door where dinner tickets were sold. The dinner ticket was also good for entry to win one of several nice door prizes. This year's crafted quilt was machine quilted 86"x96" 100% cotton fabric by Moda in a pattern appropriately called "Garden Party."

Hickory County Master Gardeners are known for their delicious home baked desserts and there was a wonderful selection again this year!


Dinner was prepared and served by Chef Mark of the McCarty Senior Center featuring fried chicken, baked ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, rolls and salad.  Chef Mark receives the large quantities of vegetables produced each year from the Master Gardeners' Donation Garden located just outside the kitchen back door.


There was a Silent Auction table that contained items donated by the Master Gardeners.


Master Gardeners also donated items for Door Prizes.


The winner of the Garden Party quilt raffle was Doris Hutton.

Hickory County Master Gardeners that volunteered their services for the annual dinner would like to give a big THANK YOU for all the support from the community in 2014!  Hope to see you all again next year!
Posted:  10/26/2014
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