Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County
The Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. The Foundation is not a WSU organization. The Foundation is managed by a nine member Board of Directors with the assistance of the Foundation Coordinator. All of these positions are voluntary and unpaid.
The mission of the Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County is to promote research based horticultural practices, through education, advisory programs, and experiences which will serve to assist the community in developing, preserving and enhancing a desirable physical environment.
Membership
Membership in the Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County is open to all individuals who have an interest in home horticulture. Many Foundation members have successfully completed the 12-week WSU Master Gardener training curriculum offered in the fall by the WSU Extension in Clark County. Membership Application
Foundation Supported Activities
The Master Gardener Foundation supports a wide range of outreach activities, involving both youth and adults in horticulture and 4-H, with financial support and hands on volunteer work. In 2005 the Foundation members supported the following activities and projects throughout Clark County:
- The Victory Garden at the August WW II Commemoration, that was sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, the City of Vancouver and the Fort Vancouver National Historical Site,
- The Program Coordinator position for the WSU Master Gardener Program,
- The Hazel Dell Elementary School Garden adjacent to Hazel Dell Elementary School,
- The 4-H Restorative Garden at the CASEE Center in Brush Prairie,
- The Home and Garden Idea Fair plant holding area, held at the Clark County Fairgrounds,
- SW Washington Coalition of Food Banks with volunteer assistance, and donated food.
Plant Sale
The largest project of the Foundation is the annual Spring Plant Sale, held at the WSU Research and Extension Unit located at 1919 NE 78th Street in Vancouver. Volunteers gather plants from their gardens, as well as accepting plant donations from the community. In 2006 more than 12,000 plants were offered for sale, ranging from vegetables, annual flowers, hanging baskets, pre-planted color pots, perennials for sun or shade, shrubs, groundcovers, house plants, to large trees and more. In addition, the plant sale includes vendors selling specialty plants and garden accessories. More than 1,000 customers attend this popular plant sale. Proceeds from this ever expanding event help provide funding to support the many activities of the Foundation, as well as scholarships to Clark College and WSU Vancouver. The creativity, generosity, and hard work of the Foundation members make it possible to support such a wide range of projects.
Foundation Meetings
The Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County holds monthly meetings, the first Tuesday of each month, except January and August, at 7:00 pm at the CASEE Center, 11104 NE 149th Street, Brush Prairie, in Building “B”. Meetings are open to the public and are held in an ADA compatible meeting room. For further information on the Foundation contact the Foundation office by calling (360) 576-6030 x17. Upcoming programs are listed in the Inspirations insert of the Columbian Newspaper.