Master Gardener program

Steele County, Minnesota, is moving to eliminate funding for its Master Gardener Program as officials begin shaping the 2027 budget. The program, typically run with University of Minnesota Extension support, trains volunteer gardeners who provide horticultural education and community projects. County commissioners appear to be weighing cuts to discretionary programming, and the proposal has drawn attention from residents who value the program's local outreach and educational services.

Patricia Butler has published a guest opinion urging that Colorado State University's Boulder County Master Gardener program be preserved. The program trains volunteers who provide gardening advice and community education, and Butler argues its value to local residents justifies continued support amid concerns about its future.