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Greater Harmony Between Agriculture and the Environment
Environmentally Responsible Gardening in Maricopa County
Issue
With close to 3 million people in Maricopa County, Arizona—a large
percentage of them newcomers to the Sonoran Desert—there is a tremendous
need for public education regarding appropriate selection, placement
and care of plants. The Master Gardener program seeks to improve the
health of plants and people while promoting environmental responsibility
in the garden. It includes the efficient use of water, fertilizers and
pesticides and the reduction of green waste.
What has been done?
Two 17-week training sessions were held through the Arizona Cooperative
Extension in 2000; 120 new Master Gardeners were trained. Using the
multiplier effect, training of Master Gardener volunteers expands the
coverage of county extension agents to fulfill needs throughout Maricopa
County.
Impact
Master Gardeners immediately give back to the community by teaching
others what they’ve learned themselves about gardening and landscaping.
In 2000, volunteers gave over 170 talks attended by more than 4,300
people. Participants said they improved their general knowledge about
soils, turf, efficient irrigation, pruning, vegetables, native plants,
wildlife habitats, citrus and fruit trees, ornamentals and botany.
As a result of educational outreach regarding pesticide use, Maricopa
County Cooperative Extension learned, from a call-back survey, that
75 percent of patrons who had contacted them were willing to use alternatives
to pesticides. Ninety-five percent of patrons contacted in the survey
said they would contact Extension again with future horticultural questions.
About 400 Master Gardener volunteers donated 28,000 hours fielding 23,000
telephone calls at the main Extension office and three satellite locations
in 2000.
Funding
Smith Lever
Contact
Lucy Bradley, extension agent, Urban Horticulture
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
4341 E. Broadway Road
Phoenix, AZ 85040-8807
Tel.: (602) 470-8086, ext. 323, FAX: (602) 470-8092
Email: bradleyl@ag.arizona.edu
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