The following are examples of some of the projects that are ongoing. For more information, please Contact Us. For current NRV Master Gardeners (MGs), you can find more project information in the Better Impact Volunteer Portal.
Overall:
- Fairs in the New River Valley – MGs provide educational programs, presentations and learning activities at the fairs in Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski County.
- New River Valley Garden Tour (Montgomery-Floyd Friends of the Library) – This annual tour showcases private gardens in the NRV each July. MGs assist with answering gardening questions and providing information on sustainable gardening practices that are present in each garden.
- Master Gardener College Volunteer – MG college is held each summer at Virginia Tech. NRV MGs serve as drivers, tour guides, and monitor and assist with workshops.
- NRVMGA Plant Sale – Annual plant sale held in May to raise funds for our Community Gardening Grants Program. This program provides funds to support projects that promote gardening education and environmental stewardship in the New River Valley. MGs help organize the event and grow/source all of the plants at the sale.
- New River Valley Plant Clinics – MGs set up and run plant clinics at community events to promote gardening education and environmental stewardship.
- Rain Barrel Workshops – Held to teach the public how to construct and use the own rain barrels to promote environmental stewardship.
Floyd:
- Floyd Library Youth Program – This children’s garden group meets at the Floyd Library and conducts a wide variety of gardening activities as well as teaching children to grow their own garden.
Montgomery:
- Christiansburg Library – This project educates library patrons, residents and elementary school children to the basics of gardening and awareness of landscape design and maintenance. Workshops are held throughout the year.
- Christiansburg Presbyterian Church “Adopt a Plot” – This project beautifies a historic church on Main Street, adds a meditation and rest area for the community and teaches sustainable low-maintenance native pollinator gardening.
- Christiansburg WIC Community Garden/The Farmacy Garden – The Farmacy Garden helps low-income families learn how to grow their own food and make health food choices at home.
- Hahn Horticulture Garden – maintain the garden and get to know other gardeners throughout the NRV. The Garden serves Virginia Tech students and the local community as a learning resource for plant material, landscaping concepts and environmental awareness.
- Live Work Eat Grow – Hale Community Garden – The garden hosts several families growing food using sustainable organic practices.
- Montogomery Museum Perennial Garden – This garden serves as a native and non-invasive plant demonstration garden for the public. Volunteers help maintain the garden and teach the community service workers how to garden.
- Share the Spare and Plant Clinic – At the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market – market patrons are asked to purchase additional product and drop in our donation basket. These contributions are distributed to local food banks to help families in need of fresh, health food options. This program has expanded to accept donations from gleaning throughout the area.
- Smithfield Plantation – MGs help maintain a kitchen garden and heritage orchard among other educational activities for the general public.
Pulaski:
- Fairview Home Garden Club – a therapy program to help residents get outside, grow their own produce, learn healthy eating habits and learn to manage their own gardens.
- Pulaski County 4-H Garden and Horticulture Programs – Pulaski County 4-H provides hands-on horticultural project for student to cultivate and nurture their appreciation for gardening and the environment. This program provides learning opportunities for over 80 students in 5 different locations in Pulaski County.
- Pulaski Adult Day Service & Fall Prevention Center – Provides an established day center for older adults who have physical or developmental disabilities. MGs help with raised bed garden establishment and maintenance and therapeutic planting projects.
- Pulaski Library Children’s Garden – This garden serves as an educational space for the community, a native pollinator garden, as well as having interesting plants for children’s enjoyment.
- Wilderness Road Museum – MGs are helping to bring back gardens and varietals from the 1800s as an educational area for visitors and the community.
Craig County:
- The Triangle Garden – This project contributes to the community by educating the public through gardening, providing a space for testing flower species and providing a space for community volunteers to learn how to garden.
Giles:
- Giles Community Garden – Serves the community in Giles County by teaching about gardening and where food comes from. The garden provides fresh, healthy food options to those in need.