Master Gardeners try their hand at identifying plant diseases as part of the competition at the Master Gardener Appreciation Day at the Hammond Research Station on May 18. (Photo by Johnny Morgan. Click on photo for downloadable image.)

The LSU AgCenter recognized the volunteer efforts of the Louisiana Master Gardener program with an appreciation day at the Hammond Research Station on May 18.

LSU AgCenter Master Gardener coordinator Rene Schmit, who oversees the more than 1,700 active members in 44 parishes, said this was just a small gesture of appreciation for the long hours and hard work the Master Gardeners provide around the state.

Move than 260 Master Gardeners from as far away as Alexandria and Lake Charles attended the program that featured presentations on helping the gardening public by LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill, while Rick Webb, with Louisiana Growers, discussed native plants in the garden and LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings gave tours of the sun garden.

LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Don Ferrin, entomologist Alan Morgan and weed scientist Ron Strahan manned booths to answer questions for those in attendance.

“We all teach classes to make them aware of the plant and insect issues they will need to understand once they are finished with the classes,” Ferrin said.

Gill’s two presentations explained how the gardening volunteers can most effectively present information to the public.

“What I mainly wanted to show them was that from my personal experience writing news articles and little factsheets are great way

LSU AgCenter entomologist Alan Morgan discusses insect problems with Master Gardeners at their appreciation day at the Hammond Research Station on May 18. (Photo by Johnny Morgan. Click on photo for downloadable image.)

s of getting information to the public,” Gill said. “I also told them how to set up health clinics at nurseries and how this could be very beneficial.”

The program included contests, such as “Name that Weed, “what’s wrong with this plant?” and a plant scavenger hunt, Schmit said.

There are now 23 Master Gardener associations throughout the state with a wide range of programs.

“These volunteers get involved in everything from plant health clinics, answering gardening questions in LSU AgCenter parish offices to manning booths at fairs and festivals,” Schmit said.

Some of the Master Gardener associations are involved with youth gardening programs and working with area schools. Others have established community gardens.

Pattie McGinnis, a 2008 Master Gardener graduate who joined two years after a retiring from teaching, had high praise for the Master Gardener program.

“We’ve learned a lot, and I like giving back to the community,” McGinnis said. “Being a Master Gardener has allowed me to meet some great people and do some neat things.”

As Master Gardeners continue to grow in numbers, they increase the number of people learning about and becoming involved in gardening, according to Schmit.

The recent appreciation day demonstrated how much their volunteer service to the LSU AgCenter means, said Regina Bracy, resident coordinator at the station.

“We had a lot of returning volunteers as well as some new Master Gardeners, and they are saying what a good time they had. We feel that we’re doing something right.” Bracy said. “This is just a way to show our appreciation for all of the volunteer efforts they give to the AgCenter.”

Johnny Morgan