Wendy's Wanderings

Wendy Wilber

November 6, 2017

Legacy Fund Established for Master Gardener Projects

As a former county Master Gardener coordinator, I recall the frustration of hearing great MG ideas, but having no funds to support them. Now, as state coordinator, I see this occurring in many counties: Master Gardener volunteers diverting valuable time and energy towards project fundraising rather than community service. This was further brought home as I read the county entries for the 2017 Search for Excellence awards. I thought, “How much further could this project have gone if there was money to enhance their efforts?”

Well, good news!

A Florida Master Gardener recently donated $15,000 to establish the Master Gardener Legacy Fund. This means that we are halfway to establishing an official University of Florida endowment. Once the $30,000 threshold is reached, counties can apply annually to receive grants for new or continuing education projects. The fund was kicked off at the 2017 Master Gardener State Conference in St. Augustine, by sponsoring Carol Michel’s fun and inspiring keynote presentation, The Secrets to Happiness in Your Garden.

The bigger the MG Legacy Fund grows, the more financial support there will be each year for projects. There are many ways to give. To learn more about planned giving options, visit our page: http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/legacy/.

You can also contact Caylin Hilton, Director of Development at 352.392.5432 or send her an email.

-- Wendy Wilber

Return to the November 2017 Neighborhood Gardener