About the Extension Master Gardener Program

Mission: Sharing knowledge. Empowering Communities.

Vision: To be the Virginia Cooperative Extension volunteer organization extending horticulture and environmental outreach across the Commonwealth.

Core Values:

• Respect - The environment, each other, and those we serve.
• Accountability - Wise stewardship of resources. To our organization, our community, and each other.
• Collaboration - Willing to work with a diverse group to reach a common goal. Actively seeking out partners.

Virginia Extension Master Gardeners are volunteer educators. 

Extension Master Gardeners do not provide free gardening labor--they work to provide research-based horticultural information to Virginia home gardeners.

Want to learn about the projects Master Gardeners do? Check out these spotlighted projects:

• Strasburg Community Garden Project - Extension Master Gardeners from the Northern Shenandoah unit worked with community stakeholders to help create a community garden in a food desert.
• Historical Trees & Gardens of Virginia Symposium - Extension Master Gardeners of the Central Rappahannock hosted an educational event highlighting Virginia's historic trees and gardens 
• Food For Thought - Master Gardeners and Master Food Volunteers work to help middle school students grow and prepare healthy foods

Extension Areas: Kathleen worked with Virginia Cooperative Extension as an Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent for three years prior to joining the State Office. As part of her role as an Extension Agent, Kathleen also served as the local coordinator for the Master Gardener program in Roanoke. While earning her Master’s in Community Sustainability at Michigan State University (MSU), Kathleen worked for MSU’s Center for Regional Food Systems as a team member of the Good Food Charter. As the State Coordinator, Kathleen will lead volunteer leadership and development efforts, provide administrative and volunteer management support to Extension Agents and Master Gardener Coordinators, and help to promote the Master Gardener Program throughout the Commonwealth.

Extension Areas:  As the EMG Communications Project Manager, Devon is responsible for managing the publication process for program-related publications in support of the Extension Master Gardener program in Virginia. She is also responsible for developing and implementing a marketing strategy in support of the EMG program and provides administrative support in the office on an as-needed basis.