SJR118 Summary

• Commends the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's Master Gardener Program for 40 years of volunteer service and community contributions since its launch in 1981.

• Master Gardeners volunteer an average of 150,000 hours per year valued at over $2.8 million annually, serving 52 of Alabama's counties through 45 Extension Agents.

• Program volunteers operate the Master Gardener Helpline, develop demonstration and food gardens for community education, and support beautification projects and county fairs throughout the state.

• Harvest for Health Program partners Master Gardeners with cancer survivors through multidisciplinary research between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University to demonstrate health benefits of gardening.

• Resolution recognizes the program's impact on making Alabama more beautiful and enabling citizens to make environmentally safe landscaping decisions.