John Bowen’s neighbors take frequent walks by his home in Weaverville, North Carolina, to admire his garden and see what he’s offering to share. The NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteer is known to leave prolific propagations for neighbors to collect and plant in their own yards. This spring, it’s dahlia tubers.
“I like propagating things, I like the challenge,” Bowen says. “I love hearing my neighbors tell me that the plant was a success — that it brightened their yards and their lives and it didn’t cost them anything at all.”
This NC State Day of Giving, Bowen is propagating potential through a gift to the Extension Master Gardener Challenge, which when met, will unlock $15,000 to the beloved gardening program and its endowment.
“Gardening has been a lifelong pursuit of mine,” says the former high school teacher. “The Extension Master Gardener program has given me a venue for teaching people about the things I love.”
Gardening for Life
Since 1979, the NC State Extension Master Gardener program has recruited, trained and engaged residents to serve as volunteer educators who strengthen NC State Extension’s delivery of science-based horticultural knowledge to North Carolinians.
“I trained for and joined the program, thinking I’d help volunteer and share plants. But I’ve learned so much from the university about research, what’s important and worthwhile,” Bowen says. “It’s a great combination of teaching and sharing.”
Bowen has been instrumental in developing the Lifelong Gardening program for Master Gardener volunteers in North Carolina. Adapted from a Wisconsin Extension initiative and funded by the Extension Master Gardener program fund, Lifelong Gardening focuses on teaching gardeners how to use ergonomic tools and proper body mechanics to prevent injury and continue gardening as they age or face physical challenges.
“All of a sudden, I’m transitioning from this powerful advocate and teacher of lifelong gardening to somebody who needs some help with lifelong gardening,” Bowen says. “Creating the program in North Carolina was like planting a seed and then standing back and just watching it grow and bloom. I’ve watched it become something way more valuable and useful than what I helped plant.”
Seeding Growth
This NC State Day of Giving, Bowen will continue to invest with a gift to the Extension Master Gardener Challenge, which will help fund the program’s volunteers and participants. His wish is that people across the state join him.
“The Extension Master Gardener program is incredible. We have an Extension agent who helps volunteers like me a great deal, but we’re responsible for making the program work,” Bowen says. “But there are some things that simply have to be solved with money. Contributing to this program allows me to put my money in a place to do something that I value.”
NC State Day of Giving
3.25.26
- Categories:
