When Larry King and his partner retired and moved from Multnomah County to Lincoln County, they left behind many of the friends and family who had been part of their lives. They also arrived in their new community ready to get involved. Joining the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Program gave Larry a way to share reliable, research-based gardening knowledge while creating something equally important: a new community and chosen family on the Oregon coast.
Finding community in a new home
“At retirement, my partner and I moved from Multnomah County down to Lincoln County and immediately signed up for the Master Gardener Program,” Larry said.
Starting over in a new community could have been isolating. Instead, the Master Gardener Program provided an immediate point of connection.
“We left most of our friends and family behind, but discovered that a new set of friends and chosen family were waiting for us in the Master Gardeners in Lincoln County.”
For Larry, those relationships have become an important part of what it means to be a Master Gardener volunteer: learning alongside people with a shared interest and becoming part of the community where he now lives.
Sharing research-based gardening knowledge
Larry also values the Master Gardener Program’s emphasis on reliable, science-based information and the opportunity volunteers have to share that knowledge with others.
“It’s a wonderful way to pass along science-based gardening tips and processes,” Larry said. “So much of gardening seems to be ‘what Grandma did,’ and although that’s great, there’s no replacement for research-based information that will work in our local environment.”
That local connection matters. Gardening practices that work somewhere else aren’t necessarily the best choices for Lincoln County’s climate and growing conditions. Master Gardener volunteers help connect community members with information they can put to use where they actually garden.
Helping people grow food where they live
Larry sees that knowledge as especially valuable when it comes to helping people grow their own food.
“Master Gardeners are one of the sources of education about raising our own food,” Larry said. “We provide realistic advice and training for people who wish to grow their own fruit and vegetables right here in Lincoln County.”
It’s a role that brings together many of the things Larry values about the program: science, education, local knowledge and neighbors helping neighbors.
For Larry, joining the Master Gardener Program after retirement didn’t just provide a way to keep gardening and learning. It offered a way to become part of a new community, share useful knowledge with others and discover that even after leaving longtime friends and family behind, a new chosen family was waiting to welcome him.
Think about the Master Gardener volunteers you have worked alongside. Who welcomed someone new, made complicated gardening information click, built a trusted community partnership or quietly kept an important project moving? Those contributions shape our program and show what Master Gardener service can mean across Oregon.
Statewide awards give us a way to celebrate exceptional volunteers and share their stories so others can learn from their work.
Yet we can only recognize the contributions someone helps us see. You do not need to decide whether someone is the “best” in Oregon or write the perfect nomination. If a fellow volunteer has made you think, “Our program or community is better because of them,” tell us what they did and why it mattered. Your nomination could be the reason their work receives the recognition it deserves.
The deadline for nominations is October 31st. Needs some help thinking about who you might nominate?
Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year
Do you know someone who has…
Seen an important need and taken the initiative to address it?
Led a project, team or effort that made a significant difference?
Brought people together and helped others contribute successfully?
Represented the Master Gardener program exceptionally well in the community?
Responded to a challenge with creativity, persistence or care?
Made contributions across several areas of the program?
Modeled the program’s values through their service, leadership and inclusive approach?
Helped the program accomplish something that might not otherwise have happened?
This award recognizes someone whose overall service, leadership and impact stand out. It does not have to be the person who has volunteered the longest or recorded the most hours.
Browing and Belonging Community award
Do you know someone who has…
Built a meaningful partnership with a school, food pantry, library, community garden or other local organization?
Helped gardening education reach people who had not previously been well served by the program?
Listened to a community’s needs and shaped a project or educational effort in response?
Connected people with gardening knowledge, resources or one another?
Helped address food access, climate resilience, accessible gardening, habitat or another community priority?
Made an existing program more welcoming, relevant or accessible?
Built trust and lasting relationships between Master Gardeners and the community?
Helped a successful local effort grow or reach a broader audience?
This award looks primarily at the difference someone’s work has made beyond the Master Gardener program.
Program Champion award
Do you know someone who has…
Welcomed, encouraged or mentored new Master Gardener volunteers?
Helped fellow volunteers feel that they belong and have something valuable to contribute?
Strengthened a committee, project, chapter or county program?
Created a system, resource or process that made volunteer work easier or more effective?
Helped a group work through a challenge or find a constructive path forward?
Revitalized a project that had lost momentum?
Shared leadership and created opportunities for others to grow?
Consistently done the work that helps other volunteers succeed?
Made the program more connected, sustainable or enjoyable?
This award looks primarily at how someone strengthens the Master Gardener Program and the people within it. It can recognize highly visible leadership or essential work that often happens outside the spotlight.
Distinguished Educator award
Do you know someone who has…
Made complex gardening science understandable and useful?
Developed an exceptional class, demonstration, workshop, display or educational resource?
Answered gardening questions with accuracy, curiosity and care?
Helped learners gain the confidence to make informed gardening decisions?
Adapted their teaching for different ages, abilities, languages or levels of experience?
Found an engaging way to teach about sustainable gardening, native plants, climate change, soil health or another program priority?
Helped correct misinformation without making learners feel dismissed or embarrassed?
Mentored other volunteers and helped them become stronger educators?
Used both science and local knowledge to make education especially relevant to their community?
This award can recognize formal teaching, one-on-one education, plant clinic work, mentoring or any other way a volunteer helps people understand and use science-based gardening information.
When K.O. Clark of Rockaway Beach enrolled in the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Program, the goal was to learn more about gardening. What emerged was something much bigger: a deeper understanding of science-based gardening, lasting friendships, renewed excitement for the future and a stronger connection to both community and the environment. For K.O., gardening has become a source of joy, resilience and purpose—and the Master Gardener Program has opened doors that never seemed possible before.
Learning, laughing and growing
“This has been such an invigorating and inspiring course to take,” K.O. said. “There are so many really wonderful takeaways, I couldn’t narrow it down to one. I have learned so much, but I have laughed even more!”
Each week, the learning continued long after class ended.
“The best part is going home after each class and spending the whole week working in my garden on whatever I learned that week,” K.O. said. “I dream about Scott’s salmon and Sami’s noodles.”
Being surrounded by fellow gardeners became one of the highlights of the experience.
“Being around other gardeners has been so refreshing, finding other people who are into this and even introducing me to more that I didn’t know I loved!” K.O. said. “I feel really excited about my future as an herbalist.”
Discovering the science behind gardening
One of the biggest transformations was learning to approach gardening through research-based information.
“I’m really proud of having made the switch to evidence-based information and practices,” K.O. said. “What we become naturals at doing over the course is finding where the science-based information and answers are.”
Learning about integrated pest management has also changed how K.O. gardens.
“I’m equally proud to be a gardener who is aware of the steps of integrated pest management and how to keep our environment and other creatures as safe as possible. That’s huge to me.”
More than classmates
The friendships formed during the program have become just as meaningful as the gardening knowledge.
“I have met ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, which I absolutely love,” K.O. said. “We have formed connections that I hope will last. I want to continue building on our relationships over everything gardening and beyond.”
The friendly competition doesn’t hurt either.
“I’m gonna beat Scott in a zucchini contest one of these years,” K.O. laughed.
Looking ahead, K.O. sees a lifelong future with the program.
“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Master Gardeners for a long time. I hope to be like some of the hardies who have paved the way for so many years before me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Gardening as a foundation
For K.O., gardening has become essential to maintaining balance through life’s challenges.
“Absolutely, I don’t know what I’d do without gardening,” K.O. said. “Between taking care of my grandmother, studying for my degree and just doing life…it can be really hard on the mental and emotional state.”
“Gardening keeps me at a proper baseline,” K.O. said. “It’s the safest addiction—as long as I’m not growing stinging nettle.”
Caring for community and the environment
Since becoming certified, K.O. has already begun seeing the impact of being a Master Gardener volunteer.
“Since I’ve gotten my certification, I’ve been approached by a ton of people in the community who want help with their yards, making them beautiful and functional,” K.O. said.
The program has also reinforced how closely gardening is connected to environmental stewardship.
“A few of our classes were on how important it is that we understand what’s going on in nature all around us,” K.O. said. “Weeds like Japanese knotweed getting out of hand and impacting the environment, water contamination, chemical leaching…all of this is critical.”
“I do hope anyone with good sense can understand that we can use more people in the world that care about the world and want to do what’s necessary to keep our communities and planet safe, beautiful, livable and thriving.”
Feeling welcome
One aspect of the program that left a lasting impression was the diversity of people involved.
“I’m really grateful for the diversity in the rooms,” K.O. said. “As a person of color, it felt really good to see so many people from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicities teaching and learning.”
“I will keep coming back to support all the work that everyone at OSU Extension is doing. I am so grateful for what OSU has done in our community and look forward to doing more courses with the Extension office in the future.”
Across Oregon, something powerful is happening in gardens, classrooms and community spaces.
The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener Seed to Supper program continues to grow — not just in numbers, but in depth, reach and impact. In 2026, the program is evolving in meaningful ways, while staying rooted in its purpose: helping people who are food insecure learn to grow and prepare their own food.
And this year, that work feels especially alive.
What’s new in 2026
This year marks an important step forward for Seed to Supper, with new tools and content designed to make learning more accessible, engaging and relevant.
A new activity library is now available to instructors statewide — something the program has never had before. Each session now includes multiple hands-on activities, contributed by facilitators and coordinators and informed by national resources. These activities are helping bring adult learning to life in new ways.
In response to participant feedback, a new container gardening component has also been introduced. This addition reflects a key reality: not everyone has access to land. Container gardening opens the door for more people to grow food in small spaces, making the program more inclusive and practical.
At the same time, a fully updated curriculum has been developed and is currently going through peer review — ensuring the program continues to be grounded in research-based, high-quality education.
And while these updates are being rolled out, classes across the state are already putting them into action.
Umatilla County’s Siembra la cena class of 2026
Umatilla County: building connection through culture and community
In Umatilla County, Seed to Supper reached an important milestone this year: the first Spanish-language class offered in the region.
Facilitated by volunteer Rocio Arias Hansen, the class brought together 17 participants, with 15 completing the program. Participants ranged in age from 19 to over 70 and traveled from Hermiston, Umatilla and the Tri-Cities area.
“All participants were Hispanic,” Rocio shared. “And yes, this is the first time this course has been offered in Spanish through our Eastern region.”
The program was deeply rooted in partnership. The Migrant Education Program and the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides provided classroom space, helped recruit participants and contributed food and raffle prizes.
“I am very grateful for their unconditional support,” Rocio said.
“Our culture deeply values gathering and spending time together — this is about more than gardening.”
—Rocio Aria Hansen
The response from participants was clear: they wanted more.
“They would like more hours to cover the topics in greater depth, more hands-on classes, and additional trainings like this one,” she said. “There were also many messages of appreciation for the program and for the opportunity to learn.”
But what stood out most was what happened beyond the classroom.
“To maintain the group’s enthusiasm, I reached out to the community garden coordinator to request space where participants can continue meeting,” Rocio explained. “Starting after the second week of May, we will meet once a week to check on our plants.”
She added, “Our culture deeply values gathering and spending time together, and this will be a great opportunity to strengthen that sense of connection and foster unity within the group.”
For Rocio, the experience was transformative.
“I believe this is just the beginning of something very important for our Hispanic community. They clearly demonstrated both interest and need, which motivates me to continue this work.”
Jackson County: meeting people where they are
In Jackson County, the program is taking place in a very different setting — but with the same core purpose.
Classes are being held at Rogue Retreat sites, including The Crossings, serving people who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and working toward stability.
Facilitator and Master Gardener Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic described the environment as one of support and rebuilding: “People are working to reconnect with family, find jobs and secure housing. This class becomes part of that journey.”
The program is designed with intention, adapting to the realities of participants’ lives.
For example, lessons include recipes that don’t require cooking — recognizing that not everyone has access to a kitchen.
“They’re really interested in things like microgreens and sprouts,” Grace said. “And we’re focusing on foods that are fresh, simple and accessible.”
“This class becomes part of people’s journey toward stability.”
—Grace Florjancic
Each session includes shared meals, often using Food Hero recipes, creating space for conversation and connection alongside learning.
The physical space also supports hands-on learning, with raised garden beds, classroom areas and even an outdoor kitchen.
“It’s nice that with the great structure of the program, it’s also customizable to what the class may be most interested in, or specific to their needs,” Grace said.
Participants are actively engaged — planting peas and spinach, exploring soil and composting, and building knowledge they can use right away.
“We’ve got an excited crew,” she said.
Josephine County: responding to need with creativity and scale
In Josephine County, demand for Seed to Supper exceeded expectations.
“We shot for a class of 18, but we got 31 — not counting the kids,” shared facilitator and Master Gardener volunteer Isaiah Davidson. “We have about 35 people total.”
Recruitment was intentional and direct.
“I got in my truck one day and brainstormed: housing services, food access points, women’s shelters, check cashing places — where do people go who need this?” he said.
The result was a diverse group of participants, many connected through social services or court-mandated programs.
And the response?
“Everybody loves it.”
The program has been supported by strong community partnerships, including donations from local businesses providing compost, materials and plant starts.
Participants who didn’t have space to garden were given access to raised beds, including newly renovated community garden plots.
“We took a community garden that needed help and created space for students to grow,” Isaiah explained.
“We asked: where do people go who need this? And we went there.”
–Isaiah Davidson
The impact doesn’t stop when the classes end.
“We’ll be there all summer,” he said. “Showing up once a week so people can ask questions and keep learning.”
For Isaiah, who completed Master Gardener training in 2023, the experience has been deeply personal.
“It’s been a learning experience — I’ve never done this before. But as the weeks go on, I get better.”
And the need is clear.
“We’re looking at running it twice a year, based on the demand.”
Columbia County: expanding access and growing participation
In Columbia County, a simple shift led to the biggest Seed to Supper turnout the program has ever seen.
Master Gardener coordinator Janhvi Pandey and her team have long focused on making the program accessible by offering classes in five locations — St. Helens, Scappoose, Vernonia, Rainier and Clatskanie — reducing the need for participants to travel long distances.
“The goal is simple: make the program easy to access by bringing it closer to where people live,” Janhvi shared.
This year, they made one key change. Instead of separate flyers and registrations for each site, Janhvi created a single, combined flyer with all class schedules and one registration link.
“I did it just to streamline everything,” she said. “But it turned out to be a big hit.”
The result was their highest participation ever — 79 registrations, far exceeding expectations.
Participants were also given flexibility to attend sessions at different locations if needed, making it easier to stay engaged throughout the course.
Strong partnerships continue to be at the heart of the program. This year, collaborations included local food banks in St. Helens and Rainier, the Scappoose Public Library, Clatskanie Farmer Collective, Community Action Team and local churches. These partnerships helped reach more people and provide additional support, including gardening supplies, plant sale coupons and a class from Certified Master Food Preservers on how to use and preserve what participants grow.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.
“They made it feel like I can do it,” one participant shared.
Others described the course as “easy to understand and follow along — even with literally no experience,” and appreciated the practical handouts and resources that made gardening feel achievable. Across evaluations, participants reported increased confidence and a strong intention to grow their own food.
“The class didn’t want it to end — so we extended it.”
—Janhvi Pandey
At each site, hands-on learning has been a highlight.
In St. Helens, participants have been germinating seeds and tending early crops — including a surprising success with strawberries.
“Strawberries can be difficult from seed, so I warned the class we might not see success,” the facilitator said. “But here we are.”
In Rainier, participants didn’t want the program to end after six weeks.
“The class didn’t want it to end,” the facilitator shared. “So we extended it by two additional weeks to spend more time in the garden.”
For Janhvi, these moments reflect what makes Seed to Supper so impactful: removing barriers, meeting people where they are, and building confidence through shared learning.
This year’s changes made the program more connected, more flexible and more accessible — and the response from the community shows just how much that matters.
Growing more than food
Across all of these stories, a few things stand out.
Seed to Supper is not just a gardening program.
It is:
• a bridge to community • a response to real, immediate needs • a space for learning, connection and dignity • a way to share knowledge that can change daily life
It is also a program shaped by the people who lead it — volunteers, staff and partners who are deeply committed to meeting communities where they are.
And in 2026, with new tools, expanded content and growing partnerships, that impact is only increasing.
Master Gardener associations play an essential role in supporting the Master Gardener program—through time, energy and fundraising. That shared support is what allows the program to grow, reach more communities, and continue its impact across Oregon.
This store was created in response to what volunteers have asked for—high-quality, garden-inspired items they can wear and use with pride. But it’s more than that. Every purchase directly supports the Master Gardener program—helping fund training, resources and statewide initiatives that make all of our local work possible.
It’s an easy way for both associations and individual volunteers to give back to the program we’re all part of—without organizing a fundraiser, managing inventory, or taking on extra work.
Whether it’s a hat for the garden, a tote for the market or a shirt that starts conversations, these items help build visibility, pride and connection—while supporting the future of the program.
10 ways chapters can support the program through the store
Looking for simple ways to share this with your volunteers and community? Here are a few ideas:
Include the store in your next newsletter Add a short blurb and link encouraging volunteers to shop and support the program.
Share on social media Post a favorite item and remind followers that purchases support the Master Gardener program.
Add a QR code at events Display a sign at plant sales or workshops: “Support the Master Gardener program—shop here.”
Feature a “product of the month” Highlight one item in your communications to keep the store top of mind.
Encourage volunteers to wear merch at events Visibility builds interest—and often leads to more purchases.
Include in new members orientation Let trainees know this is one way to support the program from the start.
Recognize volunteers with merch Instead of (or alongside) traditional gifts, encourage purchases that support the program.
Pair with existing fundraising efforts Promote the store as an additional way to give—especially for those who prefer a tangible item.
Share photos of volunteers wearing merch Create a “Master Gardeners in the wild” moment and build excitement.
Mention it in meetings and announcements A quick reminder goes a long way in building awareness and participation.
Supporting the Master Gardener program doesn’t always have to be complex. Sometimes, it can be as simple as what you wear, carry, or gift—while helping ensure the program continues to grow for years to come.
The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener webinar series is back for 2026, offering another season of free lunchtime classes designed to inspire gardeners, volunteers and plant lovers across Oregon and beyond. Beginning in June, this popular online series explores everything from pollinator-friendly landscapes and seed libraries to creative volunteer outreach ideas and thriving houseplants — all presented by engaging speakers from around the state.
Webinars take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 12 p.m. Pacific, running from June through September 2026. Each session is free and open to the public, and OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers can earn one hour of Continuing Education credit for attending.
2026 webinar lineup
June 9: Totally buggin’: Creating beautiful landscapes that support beneficials
July 14: Chard catalog: Sharing through seed libraries
August 11: What’s on the table? Ready-to-go activity kits for volunteers
September 8: Epiphyte club: Houseplants for health and happiness
Participants can attend live on Zoom or watch the webinars streamed live on the program’s Facebook page. Recordings will also be posted to the website approximately two weeks after each live presentation, making it easy to catch up later.
Whether you’re interested in supporting pollinators, sharing seeds with your community, discovering new outreach ideas or improving your houseplant game, this series offers practical gardening inspiration and connection throughout the summer.
This has been nearly a year in the making. Because this is the first effort of its kind within OSU Extension, we took the time to build it thoughtfully—and to do it right. We partnered with Overture Promotions, an OSU-approved vendor authorized to produce items using OSU branding. (That matters, because products featuring the OSU name and Master Gardener identity must be created through approved channels.)
Just as importantly, we wanted these to be items you’d actually want to wear and use—not throwaway promotional pieces, but well-made products that hold up in the garden, in your daily life and out in the community.
And in this milestone year, it felt especially important to do it now. As we celebrate 50 years of the Master Gardener Program, volunteers finally have the opportunity to wear and share the 50th anniversary mark with pride.
What you’ll find in the store
The current collection includes:
50th anniversary t-shirts and sweatshirts
Official OSU Master Gardener fleece vest and jacket (including Columbia Sportswear options)
Three different hat styles
Tumblers, tote bags, and a denim apron
You’ll also find designs inspired by our work and values, including Garden Future and native plants.
Coming later this month:
50th anniversary patches and magnets
Sticker packs
We’ll continue to introduce new items throughout the year, including seasonal designs and limited-edition t-shirts.
Why it matters
Every purchase supports the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program—helping sustain training, outreach and community education across Oregon.
These items are a way to:
Represent the program in your community
Start conversations about gardening
Celebrate your role as a volunteer
Share your passion with others
You might wear your gear alongside your volunteer badge at an event, or use it at home in your own garden. Either way, it’s a visible way to show what this program means to you.
Share it and shape it
The store is open to the public, so we encourage you to share it widely with your networks: beav.es/gardening
We also want this to reflect the creativity of this community. If you have ideas for products or designs, we’d love to hear them: mastergardener@oregonstate.edu
For Master Gardener Associations, this may also be an opportunity to support your members—consider purchasing items like stickers or magnets to share with your volunteers.
And if you’ve ever stood behind a table at an event, you already know: a good apron goes a long way. Having your own means you can use it both at home and while volunteering.
Thank you for being part of this program—and for helping grow it into what it is today.
Today is Dam Proud Day, and I’m asking you to make a gift of any amount to support the statewide OSU Extension Master Gardener Program.
This year, we are one of only three Extension programs selected to be featured. In our 50th anniversary year, that is both an honor and a powerful opportunity to show how much this program matters across Oregon.
Every gift helps fund the statewide work that strengthens county programs and supports volunteers like you — including the Master Gardener training course, Garden Future, Seed to Supper and the tools, resources and support that help coordinators and volunteers serve their communities.
One great example is Seed to Supper.
This year, we launched a new activity library with updated hands-on learning tools designed for adult learners, along with a new container gardening component in direct response to what participants asked for most. The full curriculum has also been revised and modernized and is now moving through OSU’s peer review process.
Meanwhile, classes are going strong across Oregon.
In Umatilla County, Rocio Arias Hansen volunteered to bring the first Spanish-language Seed to Supper class to her community and recently completed the region’s first Spanish-language course with 15 participants from Hermiston, Umatilla and the Tri-Cities area.
She recently shared with us:
“This is just the beginning of something very important for our Hispanic community. Participants asked for more hands-on classes, more time together and even a second course offering. They also asked if we could offer food preservation classes. They clearly demonstrated both interest and need, which motivates me to continue this work.
To keep the group’s enthusiasm going, we are arranging space in a community garden where participants can continue meeting, practice what we learned and ask questions outside the formal program. In our culture, gathering and spending time together is deeply valued, and this will be a great opportunity to strengthen connection and foster unity within the group.”
That is exactly what this program does best — it creates knowledge, confidence and community.
Across Oregon, Master Gardener volunteers show up. You answer questions, teach neighbors, support local food systems, care for gardens and help communities become more resilient.
Today is our chance to show the broader OSU community what we already know: this program matters.
Dam Proud Day is about collective action. It is about many people giving what they can, all in one day, to support something they believe in. I hope you will join me today by making a gift and helping us continue this work for the next 50 years. Let’s show what Master Gardener volunteers can do when we grow together.
Warmly,
Leslie Madsen Statewide Program Manager OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program
Pat Patterson was one of the original OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers when the program started in Oregon in 1976. Photos by Lynn Ketchum.
From chance to legacy: original Master Gardener marks 50 years
When the Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener Program launched in 1976, Pat Patterson wasn’t the one in her family who planned to sign up.
Her husband, Robert, was.
“He was going to take the course,” Patterson said. “We were both graduate assistants at the University of Oregon and his classes conflicted, and so I just walked in and took his place. Talk about fate.”
That moment set Patterson on a path that has spanned five decades. Now 87, she remains the program’s longest-serving volunteer — still answering gardening questions from her home on a 10-acre farm near Noti.
The Master Gardener Program educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. Operating in 27 counties, Oregon State University Extension Service trains thousands of volunteers who serve as educators, neighbors and on-the-ground researchers in their communities.
Master Gardener volunteers provide science-based, sustainable gardening information through plant clinics, workshops and community projects — helping Oregonians grow food, steward natural resources and make informed decisions in a changing environment.
The program began in 1976 in Lane County and the Portland metro area with just a few dozen participants. Today, it is a statewide network connecting university research with communities across Oregon.
From the start, Patterson said, the program was different than a garden club.
“A garden club is a social club basically made up of gardeners who swap their stories, do garden sales and so forth,” she said. “Ours requires constant retraining every year. We must recertify, because science changes. It was like going to college. So, it was a very, very deep learning curve, even though I had been gardening for most of my life. I had not been gardening scientifically.”
Early days: meeting a growing need
Patterson was part of a cohort of about 20 volunteers in Lane County. There were no fees, and much of the instruction came from university faculty as OSU Extension built the program from the ground up.
After training, volunteers didn’t staff formal clinics. Instead, they set up wherever they could.
“We would go to any venue that would give us a table,” Patterson said. “We’d sit there with our manuals, and people would come ask us questions. It was kind of scary at first.”
At the time, demand for reliable gardening information was high.
“There was a huge amount of information out there that was not good,” she said.
That need continues today, Patterson said, as gardeners navigate misinformation online, climate variability and evolving best practices.
Inside the Extension office, the program quickly formed strong connections across disciplines.
“It became a very close family,” Patterson said. “We were connected to forestry, to home economics and 4-H — everything.”
From generalists to specialists
As the program evolved, so did its approach to education.
“What we are now is a club of specialists,” Patterson said. “That wasn’t before. We were all generalists before; now we’re all specialists.”
Patterson’s own role expanded over time. After completing the program, she was hired as a horticulture assistant in Lane County, a position she held until 2006.
“I retired being in the office as a paid person,” she said, smiling.
Her volunteer work never stopped.
Through the online “Ask Extension” service, Patterson has answered more than 23,000 gardening questions — part of what she estimates are tens of thousands of volunteer hours.
That kind of service, replicated by volunteers across the state, represents a significant public value: extending university expertise into communities, often at no cost to residents.
“Pat is an amazing person and has always been a joy to work with,” said Erica Chernoh, OSU Extension horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for Lane County. “She has jumped into just about every volunteer role out there, from teaching classes to leading committees to hosting a radio show.
“She has a wealth of horticultural knowledge, and her commitment to teaching and community building has strengthened our program and built long-lasting partnerships that continue to this day,” Chernoh said.
Gardening for everyone
One of Patterson’s most lasting contributions has been her work in adaptive gardening.
A longtime member of the Lane County Master Gardener Association’s adaptive gardening committee, she has helped make gardening more accessible to people with a wide range of abilities — from physical limitations to time and space constraints.
“I felt it was really important to allow people to garden no matter what,” she said. “No matter what their physical abilities were, no matter what their mental abilities were, no matter what their time abilities were — there was a way to get around it.”
Her approach reflects broader changes in gardening science and practice, including a shift toward sustainability and working with natural systems instead of relying on chemicals.
“I’m happy to say that science has changed,” Patterson said.
Instead, she emphasizes practices that support soil health, biodiversity and long-term resilience.
“Garden smarter, not harder,” she said.
A lifelong connection
Patterson’s knowledge of plants stretches back decades, shaped by a lifetime of gardening and learning. She has taught classes, contributed to plant clinics and remained active in the gardening community even in retirement.
“Gardening is so great,” she said. “There’s always something you don’t know.”
Of the original Lane County cohort, Patterson was one of three who remained active for decades. She and fellow volunteers Juanita Manley and Phoebe Staples referred to themselves as the “Three Musketeers.”
Today, Patterson is the last surviving member of that original group — and the Master Gardener with the most years of service in the program’s history.
Why it matters now
As the Master Gardener Program marks its 50th anniversary, its role continues to grow in importance.
Across Oregon, residents are turning to gardening for food security, environmental stewardship and personal well-being. At the same time, they face new challenges — from climate change to invasive pests — that require reliable, science-based information.
Master Gardener volunteers help meet that need, serving as a bridge between university research and everyday practice.
For Patterson, that mission has been deeply personal.
“This has been my life and my family,” she said.
“I’m amazed at how much Extension has changed over those 50 years,” she said. “It has grown in ways that we would never have guessed.”
Still, the core remains the same: helping people succeed, one garden at a time.
From her farm outside Noti, Patterson continues that work — answering questions, sharing knowledge and staying engaged.
“Use it or lose it,” she said. “The more you’re challenged, the better chance you have of staying engaged.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program. If you are or ever have been a Master Gardener volunteer, we’d love to hear from you. Share your story with us: Beav.es/mgstory
Note: early giving is open for Dam Proud Day! Please help support the program today, but first, be inspired by Colleen’s story….
When Colleen of Milwaukie became a Master Gardener, she found more than a community of fellow plant lovers. She found a way to partner with her community — connecting with local groups, city leaders and neighbors around a shared purpose. What started with learning about native plants grew into something bigger: helping launch the Milwaukie Pollinator Pathway and advocating for Milwaukie to become a Bee City USA affiliate.
“I would not have started the Pollinator Pathway and Bee City journey without the Master Gardener program.” Photo by Kelby Whittington
“The best part of being a Master Gardener is the people I meet and the community I have come to know.
Starting the Milwaukie Pollinator Pathway and advocating for the city of Milwaukie to become a Bee City USA affiliate is something I am especially excited and proud of.
Through that work, I have connected with local gardening groups, neighborhood district associations, the Rotary Club of Milwaukie, City Council and city staff, as well as the city of Beaverton.
I became a Master Gardener in 2019, and 2020 became a time to delve more deeply into the resources available to us. I kept coming back to the benefits of native plants. It was also a time to get outdoors for the sake of my physical and mental health, both of which I greatly needed.
Our hikes strengthened our family bonds. They gave us a greater appreciation for the land around us and the trees and plants that grew there. Those hikes strengthened us, both physically and mentally.
Growing plants and food gives us a sense of accomplishment and ownership. It grounds us, so to speak. It is peaceful and satisfying to see something grow.
I would not have started the Pollinator Pathway and Bee City journey without first being introduced to the Master Gardener program. In that first year, we were encouraged to participate in different volunteer activities so we could learn what interested us. For me, that interest was native plants.”
P.S. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program— and giving is now open for Dam Proud Day. If this program has shaped your life, your garden or your community, consider making a gift today to help support the next 50 years. We’re also collecting stories from current and past Master Gardener volunteers. Share your story with us: Beav.es/mgstory
