Community Horticulture

The Community Horticulture Department is committed to enriching the public through an extensive array of programs designed to engage and educate the public throughout the calendar year.

Among our prominent initiatives is the Master Gardener volunteer program, which empowers dedicated individuals who serve as a vital educational resource for community members. Our dedicated volunteers undergo extensive training to provide in-depth information on a wide array of horticultural topics. Some of these topics include the identification and management of invasive species that threaten local ecosystems, effective composting methods to enhance soil health and recycle organic waste, the intricacies of vegetable gardening to promote sustainable food practices, and addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change through innovative garden design practices tailored to shifting environmental conditions. More information on the Master Gardener Program can be found here.

Our CCEDC horticulture diagnostic laboratory operates a dedicated hotline on Mondays and Wednesdays from April through September. During these designated hours, from 9 AM to noon, our Master Gardener volunteers provide their expertise and engage with community members who seek assistance with gardening-related inquiries. The volunteers specialize in identifying common plant diseases, recognizing symptoms of insect damage, and addressing issues related to invasive species, including both plants and pests. Research-based recommendations are offered that are tailored to the specific needs of individual gardens, thereby facilitating effective management of any pests and diseases identified on the property. More information about our diagnostic lab and services offered can be found here.

We are proud to acknowledge the many wonderful, trained volunteers that help to carry out our programming. For more information click the links below.

• Speakers Bureau
• Dutchess Dirt Gardening Newsletter
• Farm & Home Center Demonstration Gardens

Our program is funded through volunteer fundraising efforts and from donations from the public. To make a tax deductable gift (we are a 501(c)(3) organization) , please send your check to Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, 2715 Rt 44, Suite 1, Millbrook, NY, 12545. Checks should be made to CCEDC and with attention to: Heather Brenner, Community Horticulture Program Coordinator. Please be sure to include a note stating that you would like your gift to be directed towards the Community Horticulture Program (Master Gardeners). Thank you!

Last updated February 4, 2026