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In the Beginning |
| The Laramie County Master Gardeners have evolved over many years. In 1981, master gardener interns began driving to Greeley to take horticultural classes through the Colorado State University Extension Service. In 2001, the first master gardener courses were offered through the Laramie County Extension Office. In 2003, the format was changed and classes were offered on Monday and Thursday evenings in January and February. Simply by changing the format, the program attracted 40 new master gardener interns, 33 of which finished all requirements and became Laramie County Master Gardeners in October 2003. |
The Newsletters |
| In 1987, the master gardeners began a horticultural newsletter called the “Gardener Pardners” under the direction of the Laramie County Extension Service office. The newsletter highlighted local gardens and the insects and diseases those sites were encountering. The balance of the newsletter was a trouble shooting guide addressing topics of interest for local gardeners. The newsletter has existed in several forms, with several different names over the years. Today, the Master Gardener Newsletter is published by the Laramie County Cooperative Extension Service, several times a year, as time permits. Additionally, the president of the Laramie County Master Gardeners also writes a monthly newsletter. Both are available as pdf files on this website. Check out the Newsletter page. |
The Garden Walk |
| Also, in August 1987, the two local garden clubs decided not to host the "Garden Tour". They gave the master gardeners their blessing to take it over. Now, the Garden Walk is usually held in July, on a Sunday afternoon. Several gardens are chosen to highlight the gardening potential in southeastern Wyoming. |
The Annual Plant Sale |
| The Annual Plant Sale also had a simple beginning. Originally, master gardeners and members of other local gardening groups had a plant swap late in the spring. The swap grew and eventually was turned into a plant sale and opened to the general public. Now the plant sale is held every May before Memorial Day weekend. For many years, the plant sale was hosted by the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. In 2006, the Cheyenne Depot Plaza invited the Laramie County Master Gardeners to participate in the Garden Festival and the plant sale moved downtown. As a result of the move, the Laramie County Master Gardeners have a their annual plant sale, and also have several mini lectures and a plant workshop for kids. Outside vendors are welcome to participate also. Photos 2006 and Photos 2007. |
The Organization |
| In 1997, the master gardeners organized into a formal group. They existed under the umbrella of the University of Wyoming Foundation. In 2005, the University of Wyoming felt the financial portion of the affiliation was no longer appropriate and the Laramie County Master Gardeners split away from the university and became their own not-for-profit organization chartered by the State of Wyoming. However, Laramie County Master Gardeners continue to function as a community outreach program for the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service. |
The National Master Gardener Program |
| To read an interesting article about the origins of the national Master Gardener program in King County, Washington, click here. |