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(Millbrook, NY) –Our busy bees have been buzzing around the greenhouse anticipating this year’s Plant Sale! Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC) is gearing up for another thriving season with its 32nd Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale Fundraiser! Taking place on May 16th from 10 AM to 4 PM and 17th from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Farm and Home Center, 2715 Route 44 in Millbrook. This highly anticipated event will offer a huge selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables, and herbs, all grown with care by our dedicated Master Gardener volunteers. This is a rain or shine event!
This year marks five decades, the Master Gardener Volunteer Program will be serving Dutchess County. The program’s mission is to train volunteers as peer educators, providing research-based knowledge to help the community manage invasives, lawns, and gardens, while emphasizing food security and environmental stewardship.
“There are many reasons why this program is essential to our community,” said Heather Brenner, Community Horticulture Program Coordinator. “Our Speakers Bureau lectures and the Horticulture Hotline and Diagnostic Lab provide residents with easy access to expert guidance. Due to the increased number of inquiries, we have expanded our Hotline hours to two mornings per week: Mondays and Wednesdays, from April through September. Whether you have questions about pest control, diagnosis, or sustainable gardening techniques, our Master Gardeners are here to help.”
What to Expect at our Plant Sale?
· A wide variety of garden favorites and many new plant introductions
· Expert guidance from Master Gardener volunteers
· Proceeds supporting local horticulture education and outreach
· A community-driven event for gardeners of all experience levels
The Master Gardener Volunteers contribute significantly to the community by providing educational resources, workshops, and direct assistance. In 2024, 19 new volunteers successfully completed Master Gardener training, expanding the program. The newsletter, Dutchess Dirt reached over 2,200 subscribers monthly. A major milestone was securing the Lower Hudson PRISM grant, enabling invasive species management training for Dutchess County Parks staff. Educational materials, including a Spotted Lanternfly brochure and a QR-coded business card, were developed.
Additionally, the Seed Library pilot program launched in six Mid-Hudson Library branches, reaching over 130 individuals. The Horticulture Hotline handled 440+ inquiries in 2024, highlighting the program’s dedication to expert support. Volunteers revitalized the Diagnostic Lab with new shelving, a lab table, and a wall-mounted microscope monitor display to enhance efficiency. The Speakers Bureau engaged over 275 community members through educational presentations.
“The program is growing in exciting new directions,” said Isabella Magna Yannuzzi, the new Agriculture/Horticulture Program Leader. “This year, we are expanding our efforts with the NYS Seed to Supper (S2S) initiative, which provides local gardeners with resources to grow their own food on a budget. Through partnerships with Snap-Ed NY, we are also helping people turn their harvests into nutritious meals.”
For more details on the Master Gardener Volunteer Program, the Annual Plant Sale, or to sign up for upcoming workshops, visit ccedutchess.org or call 845-677-8223.
About Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC)
CCEDC provides diverse programming throughout Dutchess County, including agriculture, horticulture, youth and family services, environmental and energy initiatives, financial literacy, and nutrition. Key programs include the Mid-Hudson Clean Energy Hub, Dutchess County 4-H, Taste NY at Todd Hill, Green Teen, No Child Left Inside (NCLI), and the Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP).
Connection, Collaboration, Community: that's how CCEDC is Growing Forward! For more information on CCEDC’s programs and services, visit ccedutchess.org or call 845-677-8223.
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