Our Foundation’s Community Focus
Supporting Kitsap County
Volunteering is at the core of being a Master Gardener. We share a driving passion to be involved in programs and activities that bring sustainable gardening practices to all corners of Kitsap County.
Our work is a labor of love. Each year, we supply more than two and a half tons of produce that we grow and harvest from our demonstration gardens to local community food banks and kitchens. Master Gardeners are all about giving back.
When we’re not up to our elbows in plants, we enjoy interacting with the community. By offering encouragement and support to gardeners throughout the county – whether they grow vegetables and fruit or flowers and shrubs – we strive to make the natural world accessible.
“I’ll be a Master Gardener for life. This large and wide-spread organization is a well-oiled machine. MGs provide a great resource for the people of Kitsap County.”–Beth L.
“Amazing learning experiences, excellent mentorship opportunities to support education programs for the community.”–Fran W.
More about our commitment to making positive and lasting impacts in Kitsap County can be found in What We Do and How to Help.
Our Foundation’s Board of Directors
The Master Gardener volunteers who serve on the Kitsap County Foundation’s Board work closely with WSU Extension to ensure every Program is staffed and funded. Board members are responsible for overseeing fundraising activities and managing the Foundation’s resources. Contact our Directors using the contact form or email link below for additional information.
Judy Guttormsen
Director at Large
Louise Powell
Director at Large
Willow Naranjo
Director at Large
Hari Stone
Kitsap Master Gardener Coordinator / Ex-Officio Member
Mission Driven
Our Foundation is a non-profit corporation and a recognized public charity. We financially support the WSU Master Gardener Program in Kitsap County through extensive fundraising and sound financial management. Our funding helps support the training of master gardeners, information and diagnostic clinics, and demonstration gardens as well as a wide variety of community outreach programs.
WSU’s Robust Master Gardener Program
Master Gardeners earn certification by completing a course through the Washington State University (WSU) Extension program, and gain hands-on experience by volunteering dozens of hours throughout the year. WSU scientists educate the public to help them garden successfully and responsibly. Master Gardeners then put those practices on display for the community in demonstration gardens throughout Kitsap County.
After their first year, Master Gardeners retain certification by completing continuing education courses about relevant gardening practices and volunteering a required number of hours.
The Master Gardener program promotes educational outreach and community engagement through its demonstration gardens, educational workshops, and youth programs. These programs require public support. Master Gardener foundations provide that financial support through donations and fundraising campaigns to ensure our programs will continue to thrive.
Washington’s Foundation
Our State Foundation (MGFWS) focuses on three things:
- Providing financial and logistical support to our annual Advanced Education Conference so that we can continually improve the horticultural education of Master Gardeners throughout Washington;
- Nurturing state-wide leadership, communication and collaboration amongst our dozens of local chapters, representing all 39 Washington counties, and promote best practices in both fundraising and foundation management.
- Work in concert with WSU Extension to magnify the benefits of Master Gardener programs in all counties and regions of Washington state and across the U.S.
Thank You!
These businesses and individuals honor the work of Master Gardeners Foundation of Kitsap County with their support:
Questions about becoming a sponsor? Please contact our Sponsorship Team.