Our History

The MU Extension timeline notes that in 1984, the Missouri Master Gardener program was established to offer in-depth horticultural training to individuals who then volunteer their time helping others in their communities learn about gardening and the environment. The first Master Gardener (MG) training class at the St. Charles County MU Extension Center was held in 1998.

A vision for St. Charles County Master Gardeners (SCCMG) developed from casual conversation in 2000. The initial step was to design and create a perennial flagpole garden with plants donated by MGs. In Fall 2001, MGs arrived with plants and shovels in hand to establish the beginning plot. A small strip between Building C and the parking lot was turned, amended and planted with sedum. Greg Sequin served as SCCMG's first president in 1999.

Today, SCCMG and MG training are key to the impact of MU Extension in St. Charles County. Members are engaged and active in the community, providing hands-on, research-based information to residents. The St. Charles County Extension Center is the only Extension facility statewide that has expansive gardens onsite. The gardens are open to the public daily and are used for teaching and demonstrating environmentally friendly, effective gardening techniques. SCCMG hosts annual plant sales which serve as educational events and raise funds for all annual activities. Loyal community support of the Annual Plant Sales allows MGs to maintain the Demonstration Gardens; provide information at farmers markets; host classes, garden tours and educational events; field questions from the community via the Horticulture answer line; and fulfill speaking engagements throughout the county.

Annual Summaries

2025 Laura Steimel served as SCCMG President. Eli Isele served as MU Extension Horticulture Field Specialist and Program Coordinator. Membership included 172 active MGS with an additional 68 interns and 6 trainees working toward active member status. Phebe Martin was awarded the 2025 Paul Hendricks Award.

MOMGA/MU Extension: The Missouri Extension MG Gardener Conference with the theme of Enriching the Volunteer Experience was held June 6-7 in Columbia, MO. The Missouri MG Online Core Training class was held on January 19-May 31 with a second class beginning on August 10. SCCMG hosted a MOMGA Board of Directors meeting on March 7.

Garden Notes: The Herb Garden and Pantry Garden renovations were completed. A shad top was added along with benches and paving stones. The Lasagna Garden was rebuilt, and the Fairy Garden was added. The Marsha Brown Memorial Bench was installed. A significant donation of plants was made to St. Charles County Parks. The Demo Gardens were designated as an AAS Display Garden by the All-America Selections (AAS) Gardens. The Fruit Arboretum team hosted two open houses. SCCMG submitted 43 plant/vegetable specimens to the National Garden Clubs Flower Show and earned 39 awards. The Pantry Garden produced 1660.9 pounds of veggies during the growing season with the Herb Garden and Arboretum providing a additional 143 pounds.

MGs, trainees and interns reported 14,963 Volunteer Hours (economic value of $520,582.77) in the Demo Gardens and community. The members reported 1,599 Education Hours and 269 Advanced Training Hours for a total commitment of 16,831 hours.

The MU Extension MG Core Training Class began on January 16 with 44 participants.

The Hortline handled 340 calls. The Speakers Bureau was active, and MGs participated in seasonal Farmers Markets.

In the Garden educational events were held in the spring for 88 attendees. Eating What We Grow cooking classes were offered.

Plant Sale: The Cool Season Plant Sale was held on March 15-16 and the Warm Season Plant Sale was held on April 26-27. The Plant Sale audit revealed that 92% of what was grown (7,326 plants) for the sales was sold, with the remaining inventory shared among the various Demo Gardens. The Dig & Divide effort resulted in 876 plants potted and overwintered for the 2026 Plant Sale. Jeanne DeBold was recognized as the first recipient of the annual Outstanding Contributor to the Plant Sale Award. She was presented with a Plant Sale Queen 2025 gardening apron.

2024 Joe Walker served as SCCMG President. Eli isele served as MU Extension Horticulture Field Specialist and Program Coordinator. Eliza Pessereau joined the Extension team as a Horticulture Specialist. Membership included 147 active MGs with an additional 38 interns and 43 trainees working toward active member status. Catherine Ebone was awarded the 2024 Paul Hendricks Award.

MOMGA/MU Extension: The Missouri master Gardener State Conference with a theme of Gardening with a Purpose was held September 27-29 in St. Joseph, MO. Joe Walker was recognized as the 2023 Extension MG of the Year. The Missouri MG Online Core Training Course was offered in the Spring and Fall.

Garden Notes: Themed gardens that began development in 2023 - Bee Bar (plants that attract bees), Moon Garden (plants that thrive at night), Chocolate Garden (plants that look and smell like chocolate) - were unveiled. Donations to St. Charles County Parks included 770 plans and 150 bulbs. The Fruit Arboretum, a 7-year project, was completed. The Cottage Garden team rebuilt the pathway retaining wall border. The Rose Garden was dropped from the garden list. Retired FOX 2 Investigative Reporter Elliott Davis live-streamed a garden tour conducted by Kevin Minard and Cindy Platzer to promote MU Extension and SCCMG. Over 3,030 pounds (1,695 lbs. harvested from the Pantry Garden) of fresh produce were donated to local organizations. A Monarch tagging event was held. The Greenhouse prepped for a new floor and the screening was laid down in October. The Kiosk was installed in the Enabling Garden. The Demo Gardens earned 12 ribbons at the Home & Garden Flower Show.

MGs, trainees and interns reported 14,861 Volunteer Hours in the Demo Gardens and community. The members reported 1,665 Education Hours and 508 Advanced Training Hours for a total commitment of 17,034 hours.

In-person MG Core Class training returned to MU Extension on January 18 with 39 participants.

The Hortline assisted 407 callers.

In the Garden educational events were held in the Spring for approximately 90 participants. Eating What We Grow cooking classes were offered.

Plant Sale: The Plant Sales (March 16-17, April 20 and 27) sold over 7,000 plant units. The Dig & Divide event finished with 793 perennials dug, divided and potted in preparation for the 2025 Plant Sales. The Milk Jug Seeding event produced 81 milk jugs seeded with 71 plant varieties (70 native and 1 cultivar).

2023 Joe Walker served as SCCMG President. Eli Isele served as MU Extension Horticulture Field Specialist and Program Coordinator. Membership included 133 active MGs with an additional 14 interns working toward active member status. Tom Conley was awarded the 2023 Paul Hendricks Award.

MOMGA/MU Extension: The virtual Missouri MG Mini-Conference was held on October 14-15 with nearly 300 registrants. Donna Lindsey was honored as the 2022 Extension master Gardener of the Year. SCCMG earned the 2022 Large Chapter Project of the Year award for the Native Refresh project. A SCCMG exploratory team investigated the possibility of hosting the 2026 MOMGA Annual Conference. The Missouri MG Online Core Training class was held in the Spring and Fall.

Garden Notes: Five new fruit trees and a stone path were added to the Arboretum. The Bird Buffet was certified by National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat garden. Plant donations included 900 plants to St. Charles County parks, plus 100 to the St. Charles County Boys' and Girls' Club and Hickey Elementary School in St. Louis. 84 people attended the Spring garden tours and 48 attended the Autumn tours. The From the Ground Up project was launched where the Foundation beds were refurbished into a Moon Garden, a Bed for Bees, and a Chocolate Garden. MGs participated in Monarch butterfly tagging. Over 1,755 pounds of fresh produce were donated to local organizationa. Master Naturalists erected a greenhouse and a raised bed on the MU Extension grounds.

MGs, trainees and interns reported 14,825 Volunteer Hours in the Demo Gardens and community. The members reported 1,742 Education Hours and 200 Advanced Training Hours for a total commitment of 15,767 hours.

MG Core Training Class was held at MU Extension. Was it held? Possibly virtual?

The Hortline handled 400 contacts for a volunteer time commitment of 449 hours. The Speakers Bureau was active, and MGs participated in seasonal Farmers Markets.

In the Garden educational events were conducted in the Spring for 83 participants. MG Phebe Martin hosted four Eating from the Garden cooking classes, demonstrating full-course recipes made from fresh-picked vegetables.

Plant Sale: The Spring Plant Sales (March 18, April 22 and April 29-30) sold 7,434 plants. A Plant Sale Liaison Coordinator was designated to coordinate the needs of the Demo Gardens and to oversee the planting of those seeds and transplants. The Propagation Garden hosted a Milk Jug Seeding event, and the Dig & Divide effort produced 1054 plants for the 2024 Plant sales.

2022 Joe Walker served as SCCMG President. Debi Kelly/Eli Isele served as MU Extension Field Specialist in Horticulture and Program Coordinator. Deanna Dothage joined MU Extension as the Community Engagement Specialist. SCCMG was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Membership included 120 active MGs with an additional 22 interns working toward active member status. Rebecca Poon was awarded the 2022 Paul Hendricks Award.

MOMGA/MU Extension: The Missouri MG Annual Conference with the theme Together We Grow was held on September 16-18 in Jefferson City, MO. Marsha Brown was recognized as the 2021 Master Gardener of the Year. The Fall Missouri MG Online Core Training class began with 199 enrollees. the MU Extension Town Halls transitioned to The Garden Hour with MU Extension.

Garden Notes: The Greenhouse battled an aphid infestation. As a result of flooding: pathways needed repair, the Hoop House needed cleaning; the Greenhouse required sanitizing; Pantry Garden produce was deemed unsafe; and soil samples were tested for heavy metals. MGs participated in Monarch butterfly tagging. Prior to the flooding, more than 900 pounds of produce had been donated to local organizations.

MGs, trainees and interns reported 12,230 Volunteer Hours in the Demo Gardens and community. The members reported 1,948 Education Hours and 47 Advanced Training Hours for a total commitment of 14,225 hours.

The Master Gardener Core Training class recognized 30 graduates from 9 different St. Charles County municipalities. Was it virtual?

The Dig In educational event with the theme of Gardening for Pollinators was held virtually on February 26 with 96 attendees.

The Hortline handled 396 questions for a volunteer time commitment of 559 hours. The Speakers Bureau was active, and MGs participated in seasonal Farmers Markets.

Plant Sale: The Plant Sales returned to in-person shopping with events scheduled for March 19, April 23 and April 30-May 1.

2021 Joe Walker served as SCCMG President. Justin Keay served as MU Extension Field Specialist in Horticulture and Program Coordinator. Membership included 132 active MGs. Rebekah Davis and Laura Steimel were awarded the 2021 Paul Hendricks Award.

MOMGA/MU Extension: MU Extension hosted a Missouri Extension MG Virtual Mini-Conference on September 25 with 290 participants. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the conference was changed to a one-day, virtual event with no registration fee. The Missouri MG Online Core Training was held in the Sprint and Fall.

Garden Notes: COVID-19 restrictions remained in place. A reopening plan to ease restrictions was introduced and the MU Extension office reopened in May. The Fall Into Gardening event was cancelled. A self-guided Demo Garden tour using QR codes was introduced. Regular Wednesday and Saturday workdays returned to the Gardens and the Gardens were reopened to tours and visiting public (in limited numbers). Bird species spotted in the Demo Gardens were tracked via weekly Wednesday morning bird walks. The main Demo Garden sign was reinstalled, completing the Welcome Spot. Collaboration opportunities with St. Charles County 4-H Clubs were explored. The Demo Gardens were featured in the Gateway Gardener. Food Pantry volunteers helped process 1,493 lbs. of donated vegetables to the local food pantries.

MGs, trainees and interns reported 11,311 Volunteer Hours in the Demo Gardens and community. The members reported 1,688 Education Hours and 63 Advanced Training Hours for a total commitment of 13,602 hours.

The in-person Extension MG Core Training Class was not held.

The annual Dig In education event registered 150 for a half-day webinar on February 27.

The Hortline handled 346 questions. The Speakers Bureau was active, and MGs participated in seasonal Farmers Markets.

Plant Sale: Plants Sales were held on April 17 and 23-24 with several restrictions. An initial 10-person limit of those allowed on the grounds was increased to 50, and masks were required. Pre-orders were submitted and outdoor pick-up arrangements allowed the purchaser to review a purchase with an opportunity to view additional plant selections. The Plant Sale team battled a pest infestation.

2020 Kevin Minard served as SCCMG President. Justin Keay served as MU Extension Regional Horticulturist and Program Coordinator. Membership included 137 active MGS with an additional 34 interns working toward active member status. Leslie Limberg was awarded the 2020 Paul Hendricks Award.

MOMGA/MU Extension: The MOMGA State Conference, with the theme of Divide and Conquer scheduled for September 18-20 in Jefferson City, was cancelled. The Missouri MG Online Core Training Course began August 23 with 174 trainees, surpassing the previous high by 100.

Garden Notes: The MU Extension site received certification for the native habitat areas through Audubon's Bring Conservation Home program. Seating was added to the Meadow Garden. The presence of spotted water hemlock, an invasive species, was discovered on the Extension grounds. A Demo Garden Safety and Design Committee was established. The Day Lily Walk was completed. Almost 1,000 pounds of produce was donated to local food pantries. Increased flooding and erosion along Dardenne Creek threatened MU Extension property and jeopardized the Gardens and programming. SCCMG participated in fundraising efforts ($5,000 pledge) to stabilize Dardenne Creek. Hoop House operations were transferred from Demo Gardens to Greenhouse/Plant Sale.

COVID-19: The pandemic brought about many temporary changes. MU Extension grounds and Demo Gardens were closed to everyone, including MGs. All garden budgets were suspended. Safe methods of delivering produce to local organizations were considered. Within the restrictions, Pantry Bed access and mowing were prioritized. The number of volunteer hours required to maintain active membership status was reduced. Volunteers' access to the Demo Gardens was restricted to 10 MGs at one time and masks were required if unable to maintain the social distance of six feet. Restrictions were slowly eased toward the end of 2020. The Zoom platform was introduced as a means of streaming online presentations and facilitating virtual meetings.

MGs, trainees and interns reported 7,593 Volunteer Hours (time value equivalent of $241,835) in the Demo Gardens and community. The members reported 1,263 Education Hours and 38 Advanced Training Hours for a total commitment of 8,894 hours.

The MU Extension Master Gardener Core Training Class involved 44 trainees.

The annual Dig In education event was held on February 29.

The Hortline handled approximately 200 contacts with almost a third of the questions related to trees. The Speakers Bureau was active, and MGs participated in seasonal Farmers Markets.

Plant Sales: All Extension MG Plant Sales were cancelled at least through May 15. It was a new reality for the Plant Sale team and alternate plant sale arrangements were explored. No MG or public shopping was allowed on-site. Inventory reductions were made. A pre-order form and inventory list was emailed to shoppers. MGs volunteered to fulfill the orders and assisted with personal delivery or scheduled drive-thru pick-ups. A fig tree was presented to the Fruit Arboretum to commemorate Plant sale team efforts that ensured a successful plant sale despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 Kevin Minard served as SCCMG President. Justin Keay served as MU Extension Regional Horticulturist and Program Coordinator. Patti Kolek served as secretary of the MU Extension Council. Membership included 116 active MGs. Donna Lindsey and Dell Moeller were awarded the 2019 Paul Hendricks Award.

MOMGA/MU Extension: The Missouri Extension MG Mini-Conference with the theme of Making Connections was held on June 4-5 in Columbia, MO with 106 registrants. The Missouri MG Online Core Training Class was held in the Spring and Fall.

Garden Notes: Produce equal to 3,006 pounds was donated to local organizations. The Monarch Way Station was added as a new garden, registered as garden no. 12188 by MonarchWatch.org. Plans were drawn up for the Outdoor Education Pergola. The Greenhouse was expanded to include a sick bay for plants and outside storage.

MGs, trainees and interns reported 11,925 Volunteer Hours (time value equivalent of $336,488) in the Demo Gardens and community. The members reported 1,176 Education Hours and 108 Advanced Training Hours for a total commitment of 13,209 hours.

The MU Extension MG Core Training class graduated 20 students. A mentor program for MG trainees was introduced.

The Dig In educational event was held on February 23 at St. Charles Community College.

The Hortline handled 308 questions with a total of 537 hours volunteered in the effort. The Speakers Bureau was active, and MGs participated in seasonal Farmers markets.

Plant Sale: The Cool Season Plant Sale was held on march 16. The Warm Season Plant Sale was held on May 4.

2018 Craig Morton assumed leadership this year. Dig In held at St. Charles Community College. Members again assisting in Boys and Girls Club Summer gardening program. The May 24th meeting was held at the St Charles Daniel Boone Park. MOMGA Conference occurred Sept. 2018 in Branson MO. Chapter was awarded top Large MO Master Gardener Chapters! Joe offered a Power point class to encourage members to become speakers. Patti reports 425 contacts and 571 volunteer hours in 2018 Waneta Parmenter reported the total volunteer hours in 2018 was 10,818.

2017 Al Winkler took over the reigns. This year began with the continued leadership of specialist, Rich Hoormann. February public education event was a repeat of a Backyard Bird Count theme for families with activities and crafts to encourage drawing birds to homes. Farmers Market in both St. Charles and Lake St. Louis appeared once a month with demonstrations focused on educating the public. The Master Gardener Conference was in Columbia on June 15 and 16. Cool Weather Plant Sale March 18. List was available on line. Summer meetings were held a Broemmelsiek Park, Heritage Park, and at Towne Park.

Monarch Madness was held at the Weldon Springs Interpretive Center on September 9, 2017. Members assisting in Boys and Girls Club Summer gardening program. 10,500 hours volunteer hours were recorded in 2017.

2016 February saw a change in public education with the introduction of a Backyard Bird Count public event. It featured: Displays of birds that winter in our area, handouts to take home to use in your backyard, craft to make and take - nesting ball, suet bird feeder and more information on ideas to attract birds to your yard using Missouri native plants. Rich Hoorman became our horticulture specialist adding lots of new ideas. Robin and Charlie Pilla (and MG's) added a Monarch Habitate to the outdoor classroom site at Progress South Middle School. Lawn Chair Tuesday's were held in June and September. An invitation to offere gardening classes at St. Charles Community College were held. Public gardening events saw a monthly return to St. Charles City Farmer's Market during growing season and attendance at the first Monarch Madness hosted at the Weldon Springs Interpretive Center. Hortline became more organized under Rich's Quick Sheets. Cool season and warm plant sales continue to be huge success for both the number of people who attend and the large crowds to share with growing information. Garden tours during the plant sale gave rise to additional groups returning.

2015 This was a monumental year for MG's who helped organize and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Extension in our St. Charles County community. On October 17th an onsite celebration featured a native plant sale, 4H demonstrations, garden tours and presentation of historic pictorials of the impact of MU Extension over the years. Master Gardens began the year with a rebirth of the Dig In featuring nine public gardening sessions held in the 2 building meeting rooms and the greenhouse also. The greenhouse opened their doors also to winter MG classes on seeding and transplanting. This gave rise to more and more MG's involved in producing starts for the very popular spring plant sale. The demonstration gardens welcomed the Heartland MG chapter to a garden tour followed by lunch and sharing. The Lawn Chair Tuesday's began as a picnic venue featuring garden tours and small mini gardening sessions. The MOMGA State Conference was held in Columbia and featured a tour of the MU botanical gardens. Back at Brown Road, Monarch Watch awarded the site a MONARCH WAYSTATION.

2014 Planned raised beds were completed to include square foot gardening and cover crop displays. Pergola plantings completed. Paths expanded around the total area in anticipation of the State Conference tour of the facility. Bird garden became the design of the MG class of 2013. New this year were vertical plantings around the garden.

2013 Greenhouse completed and first set of plants were grown out in the facility. A pergola was constructed for both shade and as an outside classroom. Foundation plantings were redesigned and expanded around the building featuring annuals, perennials, bulbs and bushes. Iris beds were redesigned to eliminate water sitting in the site. Cold frames built along south side of building for overwintering perennials and natives.

2012 Greenhouse - the hopes of having it complete for grown out seedlings for the plant sale were dashed by delays in construction. Seedlings were then transported to a member's greenhouse in Foristell and St Paul and then transported for the plant sale. Water lines were installed into the greenhouse area and back of C room and a gas tank installed for heaters. Establishment of a Plant Propagation area adjacent to the orchard as a growing area for native trees and bushes for the sale. Herb beds are redesigned. Raised beds were constructed for berries in orchard area.

Annuals were placed in the three annual beds after the plant sale. Buffalo grass test plot installed along Brown road and a major lawn renovation program was completed in the fall. Award program for hours of service was instituted with hourly pins and a native tree planted on site for those over 1,000 volunteer hours mark for the year.

2011 Flutter-By garden is replanted to combining both native and perennial butterfly nectar and food plants. Donated iris rhizomes find a final resting place in a new iris bed. After much talk about the purchase and construction of a greenhouse, a grant was written and submitted with no interest shown. Members decided we could build our own with reasonable costs. A second hand greenhouse was advertized, purchased and torn down by MG’s and transported to the site. A contractor was hired to move dirt and level an area above the flood plain for a site for the greenhouse. Fall of 2011 annual beds were dug and created for 2012 planting.

2010 A Goony bird found a home near the entrance to the C building. On the other side of the doorway a rose garden was built. Plans for a handicapped accessible garden began with a design for an Enabling Garden . Donations of a large concrete water culvert, concrete finishing, lumber for raised beds and fruit trees rounded out a great community effort. Area scouts completed two eagle projects within this garden. With the death of the 2 post oaks, the shade garden becomes cottage garden

2009 An orchard fence was constructed to ward off hungry wildlife. The pantry garden had another year of contributions to the food pantry. Shade garden was established on the North side of the driveway beneath two post oaks with a pathway and donated sitting bench. The beginnings of a treescape using donated native trees and bushes began. One of the treescapes was planted to demonstrate home gardening area. (Flutter-by garden began). In addition, a walkway framing over 100 named daylilies was dug, amended and planted for next year's spring color.

2008 Entrance Sign garden completed and planted with four seasons of color to attract visitors to the gardens. A swale along natives was dug to help with parking lot flooding washing out the natives. First produce from the pantry garden was donated to local food pantry. A lasagna garden was built during a MG class in the Fall and dressed up with old highway concrete to edge.

2007 The work for 2007 included adding a small orchard and vineyard, additional raised beds for holding perennials grown for plant sales, and a bulb garden. The paths between the gardens were edged with landscape timbers and wood chips placed over landscape fabric to keep down weed maintenance.

2006 Since the initial conversation six years ago, the organization had grown in participants and funds. The commitment to the original vision was strong and the organization agreed to: redesign the flagpole garden with a focus on Plants of Merit. Raised vegetable beds were installed, compost bins were constructed, a formal herb garden was created and the native garden was expanded with a butterfly garden and prairie plot.

A group of Master Gardeners volunteered to get together and plan how all this was to come together. Out of that a discussion an overall Demo Garden lead was appointed and a lead for each garden was established. A site plan for the gardens was begun with areas reserved for future expansion as time and money allowed.

2005 Gardens maintained. Amendment bins were designed and filled with top soil, mulch, compose and wood chips.

2004 Additional expansion of gardens centered on natives. Plot area vegetation was killed to make way for the future butterfly garden and prairie areas.

2003 In the spring, the organization agreed to the idea of native gardens where soil conditions and location would make other types of gardening difficult. A rain garden now exists where water used to stand year round due to parking lot runoff.

2002 A holding area was developed on the west side of the main extension building for plant donations that would be used in the flagpole garden. Due to high traffic in front of Building C, the strip was replanted with daylilies as the sedum had died out.

2001 In the fall, Master Gardeners came with plants and shovels in hand to establish the beginning plot. A small strip between Building C and the parking lot was turned, amended and planted with sedum.

2000 The vision of the Demonstration Gardens took shape in a casual conversation among Master Gardeners. Their desire was to have a place to show people:

types of gardens
plants that do well in St. Charles and surrounding areas
pest and disease problems
basic gardening methods

The Master Gardener organization (first class was in 1998) was young in both participants and funds, so the initial step was to design and create a perennial flag pole garden with plants donated by Master Gardeners.

St Charles County Master Gardeners

Our History

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