Henry County/Martinsville Virginia Cooperative Extension

Horticulture Program and Master Gardener Organization

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Horticulture Program
 
As a horticulture extension agent, Melanie Barrow works primarily with homeowner landscaping needs in Henry County, the City of Martinsville and surrounding areas, delivering research-based educational programs on various topics, including pest identification and diagnostics, ornamental cultural information, fruit and vegetable growing recommendations, home garden and landscape techniques, and lawn maintenance.  Her primary goal is to teach the public about Integrated Pest Management techniques to reduce the overuse of pesticides and fertilizer applications and to promote a more environmentally friendly gardening experience.  Melanie also works closely with the area commercial landscapers and turf managers, providing up-to-date recommendations and pesticide applicator licensing training.
 

Melanie has a great workforce of Master Gardener volunteers that provide expertise and programming to county and city residents and organizations.  She also develops and delivers program presentations to area civic organizations, garden clubs, community clubs, and one-on-one individuals.  Program development is topic-focused and determined by public need.

 
Interested in the other services that Henry County/Martinsville Virgina Cooperative Extension Office offers  CLICK ME!
 
Master Gardeners
 
  
The Henry County/Martinsville Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Organization is made up of an elite group of Sustainable Landscape and Environmental Horticulture expert volunteers.
 

A VCE-MG is an individual who acts on behalf of VCE as a volunteer educator within his or her community after receiving specialized training in environmental horticulture through cooperative programming with VCE. These volunteer educators serve as partners with VCE to promote; inform; and work with communities, leaders, industry, and individuals by presenting programs on all aspects of horticulture to protect and enhance the environment, including turf, landscape, vegetables, trees and shrubs, and pest management practices.

 

Our MG volunteers provide over 1200 volunteer hours annually!  Projects include Fruit Sales to benefit the 4-H Youth Development program and to support the Henry County/Martinsville Master Gardener Association with its educational venues; the MG Greenhouse project which supplies hours of educational experiences as well as plants to local charitable organizations such as Hospice and assisted-living residents; school demonstration gardens; bi-annual newletters for the community; and, much more.