By Dawn Fradkin, Assistant Horticulturist and Horticulture Programs Coordinator

Every year, for the past 50 years, Colorado Master Gardeners (CMGs) volunteer countless hours in their counties across the state, answering yard and garden questions, participating in outreach events, teaching kids and the public about horticulture topics, and growing food gardens to help combat food insecurity in their areas.

Arapahoe County CMGs accomplished so much in 2024:

• CMGs answered 665 yard, garden and horticulture inquiries by phone, email and walk-ins from our free Master Gardener Help Desk.
• The CMG Diagnostic Team researched and diagnosed 17 plant samples and answered 122 Ask Extension questions.
• Educational posts on our social media outreach on Instagram and Facebook reached approximately 20,000 people.
• CMGs wrote 43 new articles for our electronic Garden Buzz Newsletter, with an average open rate of 828 people.
• CMGs on the Speaker’s Bureau taught 35 classes to almost 500 people throughout the county.
• Youth Gardening CMGs volunteered 215 hours at seven Arapahoe County schools reaching 1,766 students.
• CMG Demonstration Gardens grew 6,591.75 pounds of fresh, organic produce that was donated to various food banks in Arapahoe County.
• CMGs handed out gardening publications and information, and answered gardening questions at various outreach events connecting with 2,552 citizens.

All total in 2024, 114 active Arapahoe County CMGs volunteered an incredible 6,011 hours, and connected with 30,617 Arapahoe County residents. Our Master Gardeners have an amazing impact in Arapahoe County! In November, we held an appreciation luncheon to thank our CMG volunteers for all they do to serve Arapahoe County citizens.

Here is a quick look at the awards and recognition for the 2024 Arapahoe County CMG year:

A BIG thanks and kudos to our Arapahoe County Master Gardeners for another successful CMG season! The 2025 CMG season will mark the 50^th Anniversary of the Master Gardener Program in Colorado. We could not do it without our engaged and knowledgeable CMG volunteers!