Submitted photos Randolph County 4-H volunteers perform landscaping at Camp Pioneer earlier this year.

ELKINS — The WVU Extension Randolph/Tucker Master Gardener Volunteers are looking back on a year filled with projects designed to improve local communities.

Locally, Master Gardeners volunteered 1,022 work hours and participated in 615 education hours in 2023.

The WVU Extension Randolph/Tucker Master Gardener Volunteers offer educational classes and volunteer projects in Randolph, Tucker, Upshur and Barbour counties.

This summer, Energy Express in Tucker County was in full swing for elementary students at Tucker County High School.

In Elkins, Mountain School sessions continued with the Horticulture Club about landscape gardening.

In Gilman, a new composting education station was created at the Mountain School at the Oakridge Campus.

Fun and educational field trips were organized to local farms.

At the Elkins Farmers Market, plants, seeds and more were sold to raise funds for the association. Master Gardeners also maintained landscaping in seven public gardens in Elkins, and in several new public gardens in Tucker County.

The WVU Extension Master Gardener Program provides people interested in gardening with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills by taking part in Basic/Level 1 and Advanced/Level 2 training programs that provide in-depth training in various aspects of horticulture.

The program helps residents better understand horticultural and environmental issues through community engagement in gardening and beautification projects at schools, parks, public institutions, community organizations, and locations throughout the state.

To become a Master Gardener Volunteer, contact the WVU Extension office in Elkins at 304-636-2455 or email gladys.moore@mail.wvu.edu.

The next class will start Jan. 11.

For anyone interested in becoming a Master Gardener, call your county extension office for information on registration and fees.

For the Tucker County office, call 478-2949; for the Barbour County office, call 457-3254; and for the Upshur County office, call 473-4208.