The Master Gardener Program is a public service program offered by the Cooperative Extension Service that provides university training to volunteers for the purpose of enabling them to serve their communities through horticulture, gardening, and pest management.
The first Master Gardener Program was initiated in the state of Washington in 1973 by Extension agents in response to a burgeoning interest in horticulture from citizens in the urban areas. The program’s objective was to train volunteers to help Extension meet the overwhelming demand for information on horticulture, gardening, and plant problems. Volunteers participated in a series of science-based educational sessions that included many aspects of horticulture and related topics. Then, in return for this training, they assisted local Extension personnel in providing information and education.
Today there are Master Gardener Programs affiliated with most land-grant universities throughout the United States.
Established Roots
The Missouri Master Gardener Extension Program began in St. Louis in 1983 and is designed to assist the University of Missouri and Lincoln University with a mission of bringing horticultural information to the public. The Master Gardener Program throughout Missouri promotes and raises public awareness of the University of Missouri Extension as a source of unbiased, research based gardening information. Master Gardeners of Greene County in Springfield, MO was formed in 1984 to continue that mission, contributing thousands of hours each year in the Springfield area and surrounding region.
2025 LEADERSHIP TEAM
Coordinator
Kelly McGowan
Board
President: John Burns
Vice President: Barbara Brown
Secretary: Ann Ratliff
Treasurer: Margaret Duncan
David Brown
Ben Beranek
Jana Belk
Kristi Rehm
Mardell Bontrager
Membership
Membership Chair: Barbara Brown
Chapter News: Karen Vorhes
Emeritus Care: Michael Smith
Hours Reporting and Roster: Kelly McGowan and Nancee Dahms-Stinson
Member Care: Pam Smith
Mentoring: VACANT
Social: Dawn Frank (co-chair), Mary Rudolph (co-chair), Isaac Walker (Special Event Music)
Nathanael Greene Demonstration Garden
Demonstration Gardens Coordinator: Dwight Lindsay
Hardscape: Dwight Lindsay
Irrigation: VACANT
Mulch and Compost: Carl Redmon
Sectionheads
Herbs: Barb Emge
Natives: Team Lead – Deanna Haworth
West Entrance:
Darr Elementary Ag plot: Jana Belk
Mixed Borders: Team Lead –
Shade: Dellene Nelson
Turf Grasses: Randy Underwood
Vegetables: Jana Belk
Berm:
WaterWise Garden
Coordinator: Nicholas Cloyd
Structures & Irrigation: Michael Smith
Mulch and Compost: Carl Redmon
Labeling: John Burns and Parks Department
Long-Term Planning: Angie Hutsell
Hotline
Chair: Joan Offerle
Data Entry:
Educational Trainings: Kelly McGowan
Trainer: Barbara Ingalsbe
Scheduling: Janet Douglas
Public Education
Chair:
Children’s Programming / Young Sprouts:
Continuing Education for Member Meetings: Kelly McGowan
Learn to Grow in the Garden Series: Renae Bernskoetter
Speakers’ Bureau: Kelley Patient
Plant Sale
Plant Sale Chairs: Caroline Griesemer and Renee Bernskoetter
Marketing/Public Relations (MPR)
Chair: VACANT
Ask a Master Gardener: Helen Vanella
Fairs & Shows: Sue Wilford and Janet Douglas (co-chair)
Social Media, Facebook: George Deatz
Website: Shirley Hall
Constant Contact (Public Newsletter): Kathy Rapp
Springfield Botanical Gardens / Friends of the Garden Volunteer Liason: VACANT