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Everyone Can Have a Green Thumb


Published:
July 10, 2009

If your new veggie garden is brown, rather than green, how about asking a Master Gardener for some help?

This group of specially-trained gardeners available to give you free gardening tips and answers to your questions. These Master Gardeners provide info in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.

The Master Gardener program began back in the 1970’s in Washington state. Today, there are more than 90,000 volunteers – each has received between 40 and 80 hours of training from experts.

“Growing fruits and vegetables in your own garden promotes healthier living,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “And the Obama Administration continues to promote locally grown food because it is a safe, nutritious and sustainable source of food.”

And dig this: Last year, Master Gardeners volunteered more than 5 million hours -- 80 percent of this time was in metropolitan areas.

AskUSDA

One central entry point for you to access information and help from USDA.