Cass County MO Master Gardeners

10/11/2026

If you don’t have time to take the full Master Gardener’s Training check this out!

FREE Extension Garden Steward training returns to our Kansas City region and YOU are invited to register and attend!

Have you considered joining us as a Master Gardener but are concerned you don’t have the time now for the coursework or volunteer requirements? Garden Steward training may be the answer! An intensive one day “boot camp” and a multi-week full steward course are available.

Each session combines engaging presentations with hands-on learning so you can put knowledge into practice right away. By the end, you’ll have the tools to create a thriving, beautiful, and sustainable garden.

Topics include: Ground Rules: Know Your Site, Sow Your Success; Plant, Grow, Eat, Repeat: 3-Season Vegetable Gardening & Food Safety; Petal to the Metal: Showstopping Flowers & Functional Landscapes; Bug Balance: Insects, IPPM, & Pollinator Power; Bee the Change: Pollinator Gardening & Eco-Stewardship.

Two ways to learn:

A 5-week course with weekly sessions that build your skills step by step, beginning October 14 at Weston Red Barn Farm, 16300 Wilkerson Rd Weston MO, or beginning October 23 at John Knox Village, 1001 NW Chapman Rd Lees Summit MO, or

A 1-day seminar that packs the essentials into a six-hour gardening intensive, on October 17 at the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Center, 3700 Woodland KCMO, or on October 24 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park & Historic Site 26600 Park Road Lawson, MO.

Register and learn details at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/extension-garden-steward

We help others learn to grow, so you don’t want to miss this opportunity to join us and MU Extension!

10/09/2026

There will be a Celebration of Life for Lenora Larson on October 15th.

09/26/2026

Such a loss for the gardening community ❤️

She was not a member of our chapter, Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City. But no matter. She was a nature enthusiast, teacher, educator, lover of all things “creepy and crawling.” A gardener and a trained scientist. A spreader of knowledge and popular figure in our area.

Our gardener community through the region will be saddened to hear this news. Please share your experiences with Lenora Larson, be they in person, on garden tours, through connections to Gardeners Connect and other organizations, such as the Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardeners, the Idalia Butterfly Society, and Kansas Native Plant Society. Her columns in Kansas City Gardener magazine were frequent and appreciated by everyone.

Rest in peace. 🦋🐛🐞🐜🪲

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/lenora-larson-obituary?id=62509806

09/22/2026

Volunteers Needed: No experience building raised beds required. Instruction will be provided by KCCG Staff. Tools will be provided.

Starts at 10 am. Let me know if you can make it.

09/22/2026

09/22/2026

Access to healthcare isn’t always as simple as having insurance. Across Missouri, many residents face barriers that make it difficult to get the care they need, including rising healthcare costs, provider shortages, long travel distances, transportation challenges, limited childcare options and work schedules that make appointments difficult to attend. In rural Missouri, 41 counties don’t have a hospital, and many communities lack access to specialty care.

MU Extension is working to help close those gaps through education and workforce development. Programs like Continuing Education for Health Professions and Show-Me ECHO connect healthcare providers with specialized training and expert knowledge so they can deliver more care locally. These efforts help strengthen Missouri’s healthcare workforce, expand access to quality care and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for services.

MU Extension also supports telehealth initiatives, broadband access and community partnerships that address the systems influencing healthcare access across the state. By investing in healthcare professionals and strengthening local communities, MU Extension is helping build a healthier Missouri.

Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x5QLv

09/18/2026

🌿🌼 PLANT SALE - Cass Regional Medical Center 🌼🌿

Here’s a little preview of some of the beautiful plants waiting for you at the Cass Regional Medical Center Foundation Plant Sale tomorrow! 👀🪴

Whether you’re looking to add some fall color to your porch, freshen up your garden, or find a new favorite plant, we’ll have plenty to choose from!

📅 Thursday, Sept. 17 & Friday, Sept. 18
⏰ 7 a.m.–1 p.m. or until sold out

Come early for the best selection—they can’t wait to see you! 🌻🍂

09/08/2026

Are you interested in learning more about gardening, soil health, native plants and believe you learn better when engaged with other people? Curious about being an Extension Master Gardener but don’t have the time to commit to the coursework and volunteer hours right now?

You’re in luck!

University of Missouri Extension, Americorps and Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City are offering the FREE one day Extension Garden Steward Boot Camp at two locations in the region this month! Check out the details on the flyer and follow the link for more information and to register.

We help others learn to grow and the Garden Steward classes are a good place to start for beginners and great resources for experienced growers as well. We hope to see you there!

https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/extension-garden-steward

Contact Damien Fluharty for assistance 816-252-5051

Enhance your gardening skills with expert resources and support. Access innovative programs and guidance for sustainable and thriving gardens.

08/19/2026

MU EXTENSION SURVEY

What happens to food you don't eat?

Does it go in the trash, the compost pile or to a pet? There are many ways to dispose of unwanted food, but what do most Missourians do?

We're looking for Missouri residents to complete a short online survey about food waste habits. Your feedback will help researchers better understand how food is managed in homes and guide future efforts to reduce waste, save money and make the most of our food resources.

If you choose to participate, you'll be asked to complete a survey that takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Participation is voluntary, and you may stop at any time.

Help make a difference by sharing your experiences.

Complete survey:

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

08/19/2026

Master Gardener Online Training August 23rd thru December 24th, 2026.

Local In-Person / Hybrid Option
Regional classes managed by county extension centers, such as the Clay County and Platte County classes at MCC Maple Woods held Tuesdays and Thursdays from September 1 to October 20, 2026 ($200 fee).