LCMG History and Logo

The roots of the Laramie County Master Gardeners run deep, spanning decades of growth and community impact.  Our story intertwines with a broader legacy of national interest in horticulture and agriculture.   

 

The Extension Master Gardener Program

In 1862 and 1890, the United States Congress passed the first and second Morrill Acts establishing and financing colleges in each state through grants of land from the federal government--these became known as land-grant colleges.  In 1886, the University of Wyoming (UW) was established when Wyoming was still a territory.  Like all other U.S. land-grant institutions, UW created and implemented programs to help establish and refine agricultural practices on the campus and throughout the city and state.[1]  In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act brought U.S. Department of Agriculture funding to land-grant institutions and established the Cooperative Extension Service.[2]  In 1973, under the direction of Dr. David Gibby, The University of Washington, King County Extension, started the Extension Master Gardener Program by training volunteers with a passion for gardening to assist the Extension with consumer horticulture education in the community.  Today, this unique volunteer program exists in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  The LCMG is closely affiliated with the University of Wyoming Laramie County Extension. 

 

Laramie County Master Gardeners

In 1981, Master Gardener Interns drove to Greeley, Colorado, to take horticultural classes through the Colorado State University Extension Service.  In 1997, the Master Gardeners organized into a formal group, under the umbrella of the University of Wyoming Foundation.  In 2001, University of Wyoming Laramie County Extension Service began offering the first Master Gardener classes within the county.  By 2005, the University of Wyoming felt the financial portion of the affiliation was no longer appropriate for the Foundation and the Laramie County Master Gardeners received nonprofit corporation status through the State of Wyoming.  Laramie County Master Gardeners continue to function as community outreach for the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service.

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Community Impact

The Newsletters -- In 1987, Master Gardeners offered a horticultural newsletter, "Gardener Pardners."  The newsletter highlighted local gardens, detailing their successes and challenges.  The balance of the newsletter served as a troubleshooting guide.  The newsletter existed in several forms, under different names, and transferred to the Laramie County Cooperative Extension Service for publication as the Master Gardener Newsletter.

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The Garden Walk -- In 1987, when two local garden clubs declined to host the "Garden Tour," Master Gardeners accepted the responsibility.  This increasingly popular event is held biennially (every other year), typically in July on a Sunday afternoon.  A variety of local gardens are selected that illustrate successes when gardening in southeastern Wyoming's challenging climate.  The next Garden Walk is planned for 2025.

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The Annual Plant Sale -- Originally, Master Gardeners and members of other local gardening groups participated in a late-Spring Plant Swap.  The swap grew, and eventually transitioned to a plant sale open to the public.  For many years, the plant sale was hosted by the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.  In 2006, the Cheyenne Depot Plaza invited the Laramie County Master Gardeners to participate in the Garden Festival and the plant sale moved downtown.  Currently, the plant sale is held in May at The Event Center at Archer.  Outside vendors are welcome to participate.