The Frederick County Master Gardeners are one of 70 teams nationwide selected as a Phase 1 winner of the Cultivating Connected Communities Garden Challenge, a national competition sponsored by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The Frederick County Master Gardeners will receive $4,000 to help create an accessible, shaded teaching area within their demonstration garden. The project will include an accessible gathering space and a pergola to provide shade and a place to rest for visitors and Master Gardener volunteers who work in the garden.
The demonstration garden, located behind the University of Maryland Extension Office at 330 Montevue Lane in Frederick, provides educational opportunities for community members to learn about gardening, growing their own food, and environmentally sustainable gardening practices. The improvements will help make the garden more welcoming and accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities while expanding opportunities for educational programming.
“Our demonstration garden is a hidden gem in Frederick County, offering so many opportunities for people to learn about different aspects of gardening,” said Amy Rembold, Frederick County Home Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator. “Making the garden more accessible to everyone in our community and providing a shaded area where people can gather and learn will allow us to expand our educational programs, particularly those focused on growing food and addressing food insecurity. We want everyone to feel welcome and have the opportunity to experience the benefits of gardening.”
The Frederick County Master Gardeners look forward to making these improvements and continuing to develop the demonstration garden as a place where community members can learn, connect, and enjoy gardening together. The project is in partnership with the Frederick County Government.
As a Phase 1 winner, the Master Gardeners will now advance to Phase 2 of the challenge. Through mid-May 2027, the team will put its plan into action by creating an accessible, shaded teaching area within their Demonstration Garden. The project will provide a welcoming space for individuals of all ages and abilities to participate in gardening activities, learn how to grow their own food, and connect with their community. The team will track the project's progress and outcomes, with the opportunity to earn up to an additional $8,000 based on its results.
The Cultivating Connected Communities Garden Challenge is a national competition designed to expand accessible and inclusive community garden models. To learn more, visit the Cultivating Connected Communities Challenge page at ACL.gov.
Learn more about Frederick County Extension at https://extension.umd.edu/locations/frederick-county/.