Flathead County
Flathead County Master Gardeners
Published: 2019By Pat McGlynn
Flathead County Master Gardeners donated hundreds of hours of community service to local parks, hospitals, school gardens, community gardens, Flathead National Forest, historical sites and Arbor Day student activities. Monthly “work parties” were organized by level three Master Gardeners for new level one and level two students. Social activities included cider pressings, a local foods lunch at an organic farm and a potluck dinner to round out the year. Master Gardener teacher and MSU Extension agent Pat McGlynn attended the International Master Gardener conference in Valley Forge, PA where the keynote speaker was David Gibby. Gibby was the Washington State University Extension Agent who started the Master Gardener program in 1972. There are currently more than 95,000 active Master Gardeners in the U.S. who donate over 5 million hours of community service per year. More than 400 people have taken the Master Gardener course in Flathead County and these students continue to extend the reach, and service, of MSU Extension into the community.