Penn State Master Gardeners plant seeds for gardening success

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For Sue Hynicker, leaving a legacy means helping to put fresh food on her community’s tables.

A Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteer in Lancaster County, Hynicker helped pilot “Adopt a Pantry,” a collaboration between the Master Gardener program and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. The initiative addresses food insecurity in Lancaster County by donating excess produce from community gardens to local food pantries.

“I’m 71,” she said. “I was a nurse all my life. If I can get this off the ground and these gardens can contribute fruit and vegetables to pantries — this is my legacy. It’s something meaningful that I’ve helped with in my community.”

Through Adopt a Pantry, participants known as “Sow and Share” gardeners receive seeds, seedlings and educational support to grow culturally relevant produce requested by pantry clients. For example, a church serving a predominantly Hispanic population might request specific pumpkins, squash or peppers.

With support from Erin Kinley, state Master Gardener coordinator with Penn State Extension, the 2025 goal is to donate 3,000 pounds of produce from five gardens.

The Penn State Extension Master Gardener program trains adult volunteers in research-based and sustainable horticultural practices. After completing the training, Master Gardeners help Extension better serve the public by answering questions, speaking to groups, writing articles, maintaining demonstration gardens, assisting in Penn State pollinator research, and participating in many other projects.

As spring arrives and gardeners prepare their beds, the program offers timely support to help them succeed. Annual spring plant sales across the state raise funds while providing native, locally sourced plants.

“Every year, our community lines up before we open,” Hynicker said. “Our team carefully researches plant cultivars to ensure buyers get the best-performing varieties.”

These sales double as learning opportunities. At Lancaster County’s sale, visitors can play gardening-themed Jeopardy, get tools sharpened by a Master Gardener and former arborist, or explore displays on butterflies.

At county fairs, Master Gardeners also take an interactive approach to education. Hynicker, who chairs both the fair and community garden committees, fields questions about plant diseases, invasive species, native plants and other topics. For instance, someone might show her a bug that is all over their tomatoes or potatoes. If stumped, she photographs samples and consults the free Master Gardener hotline, which offers science-based solutions by phone, email or in person.

The Idea Gardens, located at the Penn State Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Manheim, offer another resource. Open to the public all summer, the gardens demonstrate best practices for native, butterfly, rain, vegetable, raised bed and potager gardens.

“The native garden is massive, filled with around 250 labeled perennials,” Hynicker said. “The volunteers tend it immaculately.”

Master Gardeners also lead many in-person workshops throughout the state on topics from herbs to rain barrels. For those who prefer learning at home, live and recorded webinars are available. Gardeners can find the workshops and webinars on the Penn State Extension website.

To reach Spanish-speaking residents, Lancaster County Master Gardeners air a weekly gardening segment on WLCH — a Spanish-language radio station. Bilingual volunteers such as Cindy Trussell share seasonal tips. The radio show is coordinated by Christa Shoreman, Master Gardener coordinator for Lancaster County.

“We have so many devoted people, and that’s true across the state,” Hynicker said.

Kinley agrees: “Many people think that we’re just an education program for people who want to become an expert gardener, but we’re really looking for folks who want to support their communities through gardening.”

One such effort is “Seed to Supper,” a free program that teaches adults on limited budgets how to grow their own food. Delivered in partnership with food banks and local organizations, it is aimed at building gardening confidence and food security.

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, April 20-26, Hynicker praised the program’s 3,743 active volunteers across Pennsylvania, calling them “passionate warriors in the battle to improve each of their county’s impact on the ecosystem in our little corner of the world.”

“Despite research showing that volunteerism is decreasing nationwide, our program continues to grow and thrive,” Kinley said. “In 2024, our volunteers served a record-breaking 240,140 hours — almost 20,000 hours above our previous record set in 2019.”

This time translates to more than $7.5 million in value — more than three times the program’s entire salary and wage budget.

“Time is the most valuable asset we have,” Hynicker said. “We work to put food on the table; we volunteer to feed our souls and minds. I joined the program to learn more about gardening and to give back to my beloved, beautiful Lancaster County.”

And give back she does.   

“Sue has been instrumental in developing the Adopt a Pantry program in Lancaster County,” Kinley said. “We hope to expand it statewide in the coming years.”

To learn more about becoming a Master Gardener, visit the Penn State Extension website.

The Penn State Master Gardener volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension by utilizing unbiased, research-based information to educate communities and the public on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship.