| [Image: Spring Stroll] |
| [Image: LMG Kim Riggle] |
| [Image: Laurie and Daughter] |
The Louisiana Master Gardener™ program was started in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1994 as a means of extending the educational outreach of the LSU AgCenter's Cooperative Extension Service. The Louisiana Master Gardener™ program is a service and educational program offered by the LSU AgCenter. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet the educational needs of home gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers.
Master Gardeners are highly trained volunteers of the LSU AgCenter. There are currently 14 active Louisiana Master Gardeners in the Felicianas. They were all trained through the East Baton Rouge program, but they have been involved with several service and educational programs in East and West Feliciana parishes.
In the fall and winter several local Louisiana Master Gardeners assisted the West Feliciana Middle School Memorial Garden project. They used their knowledge of horticulture to help plan the memorial garden project and planted trees and shrubs in the memorial garden. They also helped guide other volunteers in learning the proper methods of planting.
Once the garden is completed, it will be used in teaching students about proper gardening techniques.
During January, 2006, several local Louisiana Master Gardeners played key roles in promoting and conducting a series of educational workshops in Jackson, Louisiana. They distributed flyers for the program, made presentations at the workshops, hosted the workshops, manned the registration tables, provided refreshments and helped set up and take down the meeting rooms. The 4 workshops were a great success and were attended by about 240 local citizens.
For several months local Master Gardeners have taken leadership roles in planning the “Spring Stroll in St. Francisville” benefit garden tour. This garden tour, scheduled for April 29th in the Historic District of St. Francisville, is design to help show good gardening practices while raising funds for three local charities.
Master Gardeners also strive to keep current and upgrade their knowledge of horticulture. The Louisiana Master Gardener Annual Conference, to be held in Baton Rouge in April, features many nationally known horticulture experts. This conference offers many hours of training and idea exchange for Louisiana Master Gardeners.
Much of the planning and the management of the annual conference are done by the Louisiana Master Gardeners. This helps Master Gardeners learn good leadership skills.
The Louisiana Master Gardeners in East and West Felciana parishes are advised by Scuddy LeBlanc, County Agent (Horticulture) for West Feliciana Parish.