When new Master Gardener interns begin their first year in Owensboro, they are matched with experienced volunteers who help guide them through the program’s training, events, and outreach efforts.
The program is a relatively new addition to the organization, designed to support the newcomers as they complete their 1-year internship and begin participating in community projects.
“It’s a great program,” said Cheryl Rieves, vice president of the Master Gardener program. “You pair someone who’s brand new with someone more experienced, just to help them get acclimated and understand all the different things we do.”
The mentorship program, launched with its first class in 2023, begins after participants complete a 14-week training course and pass a final exam. Once they enter their 1-year internship, new members are matched with mentors who help introduce them to the organization’s work and community partnerships.
“What we try to do in those first few months is have interns attend events with their mentors,” Rieves said. “They learn the ins and outs of the program and start to feel like part of the group.”
That sense of connection is especially important for newcomers. Rieves said she understands the experience firsthand after returning to Owensboro following decades away.
“I didn’t really know anyone when I came back,” she said. “So having that mentorship program really helped me feel connected. It’s a great way to meet people and make friends.”
The program has also expanded beyond simple pairings. This year, mentors and interns visited partner organizations together, including the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity, and the Daviess County Public Library, to better understand how Master Gardeners serve the community.
“We’re trying to educate new interns while also making them feel included,” Rieves said.
For mentor Susan Frank, the goal isn’t to teach — it’s to guide.
“We don’t try to instruct them,” Frank said. “Everyone comes in with their own knowledge. Our role is to help them navigate all the opportunities and figure out where they want to spend their time.”
Frank, who has been a Master Gardener for three years, said the variety of volunteer work can feel overwhelming at first.
“There are so many ways to get involved, it can be intimidating,” she said. “So I just try to support Craig and help him find what he enjoys.”
Craig Jones, an intern paired with Frank, said the experience has already made a significant impact.
“It’s helped immensely,” Jones said. “You’re learning constantly — from classes, events, and the people around you.”
After retiring and returning to Daviess County, Jones said he had long been interested in becoming a Master Gardener but never had the time until now.
“When I saw the brochure, I thought, ‘This is perfect,’” he said. “And it’s been everything I hoped for.”
Beyond gardening knowledge, Jones said what stands out most is the sense of community and shared purpose.
“You just feed off the knowledge of others,” he said. “And one of the main goals is to learn and then share that information with the public.”
That mission is reflected in the group’s impact. Rieves said Master Gardeners volunteered roughly 4,500 hours last year, working with the local extension office to provide gardening education.
“We rely on evidence-based science,” she said. “Not just something you saw online — it’s information that’s been studied and proven.”
While the formal mentorship lasts through the 1-year internship, both Frank and Jones agree that the relationship doesn’t end there.
“I don’t think it ever really ends,” Frank said. “You build friendships, and you continue to support each other.”
With community events, educational outreach, and opportunities for gardeners of all experience levels, the program continues to grow — one connection at a time.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Rieves said. “You can be as involved as you want, but there’s something here for everyone.”
