About PAMGA
Master Gardeners are volunteers trained in research-based horticulture.
Master Gardeners assist horticulture extension agents in answering
questions from the gardening public and demonstration best practices for
horticulture.
The first class of Master Gardeners in McCracken County, Kentucky
graduated in 1998. Kathy Keeney, McCracken Co. Horticulturist at
the Extension Office, had been involved with Master Gardeners in her
native state of Arkansas and initiated the program here in Western
Kentucky. Because McCracken County was one of only three counties
in the western part of the state with a horticulture agent, individuals
from surrounding counties attended classes here in Paducah.
In January, 2006, Dava Hayden succeeded Kathy as horticulture agent for
McCracken County. She initiated evening classes and set up the
“Gardener’s Toolbox” series of informational lectures by experts in
their areas for the public as well as for Master Gardeners.
Dava resigned in 2009 to become a stay at home mother.
In November 2009, Kathy Wimberly became the Horticultlure agent for
McCracken Co. and the Advisor for PAMGA.
Kathy has a background with Tennessee Master Gardener and college
level Horticulture Education. She is enthusiastic about the
Master Gardener Program and its’ potential for improving local
horticultural practices.
The Purchase Area Master Gardener Association (PAMGA) enjoys 501(c) (3)
status. Our major activities have included a combination lecture
series and garden show each January called Garden Gurus. The
series was launched in 1999. A few past speakers include P. Allen
Smith, Jim Wilson, Paul James, Tracy diSabato-Aust, Michael Weishan,
Holly Shimizu, Gordon Hayward and garden consultant Judy Glattstein.
We sponsor a Standard Flower Show in June at the McCracken County Fair.
The show includes both horticulture and design competition.
We maintain a Demonstration and Trial Garden on Coleman Road in Paducah.
Each Spring we hold a plant sale
at the Garden of plants propagated in our greenhouse and/or donated by
members from their own gardens and greenhouses. The garden is the
centerpiece of our education mission. We serve as a trial for
annuals each year. Twice the National Garden Club has recognized
PAMGA as the Best Garden Center in the nation.
In 2004 we received a grant from the Garden Club of Kentucky, Inc.
The money was used to develop the "Plant a Seed" curriculum for
elementary and middle school students. The program has received
state and national awards.
A
Hort Line is available throughout
the growing season, call 270/554-9520 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2
p.m. each Thursday to discuss questions about plants, bugs, weeds &
seeds with a trained Master Gardener.
The Hot Line staffers are armed with a
telephone and a computer to research calls from the gardening public.
Kentucky Master Gardener Manual
Purchase Area Master Gardeners Assn. 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah, KY 42001 270-554-9520 fax 270-554-8283 www.pamga.org