[Gardening] Wake Master Gardener Program in Jeopardy

In an effort to cut the county budget, the Wake County commissioners are considering eliminating the Horticultural agent position within the Wake County Cooperative Extension Service. This position's salary is shared equally with NC State University and the cost to Wake County is about $22,000 annually. This is a critical position supporting and educating the green industry in Wake County (landscapers, nurserymen, farmers, home gardeners, etc.), which contributes roughly $250 million to our local economy. This budget cut would also eliminate the Wake County Master Gardener program, with which I volunteer. This decision really does impact the health of our community. The Horticultural Agent and Master Gardener volunteers educate the public on issues like water conservation, capturing storm water runoff to reduce pollution in our lakes and streams, preventing pollution by minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, creating urban wildlife habitats, teaching people how to grow their own food, etc. Last year alone, Wake's master gardener volunteers provided close to 10,000 hours of service to Wake County gardeners. We staff successful gardening clinics; speak to school classes, garden and civic groups; provide technical support to community gardening efforts; staff a daily information desk for folks to call in for assistance; nurture future gardeners through the Junior master gardener program; provide horticultural therapy at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other social service agencies; and we create and maintain several demonstration gardens throughout the county. Please consider signing the online petition to ask the Wake County commissioners to fund the horticultural agent position. http://www.petitiononline.com/wakeemg/petition.html Thank you. Sharon O'Neill <mailto:sharon.oneill@kasefang.com> sharon(a)kasefang.com