Commending the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners.

Commending the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
WHEREAS, in 2026, the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners is celebrating 30 years of service, education, and community engagement in Louisa County; and
WHEREAS, as a program of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners extends research-based horticultural knowledge to the public and empowers residents through educational programs and outreach; and
WHEREAS, in 2025 alone, the members of the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners made 5,001 community contacts and contributed 4,869 volunteer hours, demonstrating their enduring commitment to service by providing expertise and hands-on support; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners holds a weekly Plant Clinic at the Mineral Farmers Market, maintains a demonstration garden at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office in Louisa, where members of the public can explore best practices in sustainable gardening, and hosts an Annual Garden Expo with Seed Share, a beloved winter tradition that averages 350 attendees, who meet to exchange seeds, gain advice, and prepare for the growing season ahead; and
WHEREAS, the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners offers Backyard Gardening Seminars, allowing residents to receive practical guidance to help their home gardens thrive, and a Speaker's Bureau, which brings university-backed horticultural knowledge to the community; in addition, the organization provides learning opportunities for youths and seniors in the area; and
WHEREAS, for the past several years, the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners has operated the Bracketts Farm Charitable Garden, which serves as both a charitable garden and a living classroom, where volunteers demonstrate sustainable, research-based practices, such as soil improvement, crop rotation, integrated pest management, and efficient water use, giving residents practical skills they can apply at home; and
WHEREAS, through the Bracketts Farm Charitable Garden, the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners has helped alleviate food insecurity in Louisa County; since its inception in 2022, the organization has donated nearly 9,800 pounds of fresh produce from the garden to support local food banks and programs; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners hereby be commended for providing educational programs on gardening and supporting outreach initiatives, such as the Bracketts Farm Charitable Garden, on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's work to provide knowledge, leadership, and a strong spirit of service throughout Louisa County.