Mills County Master Gardeners

06/17/2026

If you are considering registering for this amazing program, this is your sign!

There are still plenty of spots available! 📣
Register now for the Master Conservationist Program coming this August-September in Mills/Fremont County!

📅 When: Tuesday's, August 4th-September 15th
🕓 Time: 6:00 p.m. - ~8:30 p.m.
📍 Where: Mills and Fremont Counties
💵 Cost: $75 to cover all materials
🤔 What: The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and 7 face-to-face meetings
🧍 Who: Anyone interested in conservation or learning more about Mills/Fremont County natural resources and ecosystems!
#️⃣ Maximum 25 participants, registration deadline is July 24th.

The Master Conservationist Program provides hands-on learning experiences focused on Iowa’s diverse natural resources. Participants will learn about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the various conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region.

🔗 Find more information and the registration details at the link in the comments! ⬇️

Fremont County Iowa Extension and Outreach Mills County Conservation Board

06/17/2026

06/15/2026

We had a busy Saturday! The Fairy Garden's turned out great! 🧚‍♀️

06/15/2026

On Saturday, the Mills County Master Gardeners had our members' Garden Party! We ate delicious food, shared laughs, made good memories, and of course, saw amazing gardening work from some of our very own Master Gardeners! Some highlights from the gardens were:

🐝 Pollinator Habitats
🗿 Handcrafted Sculptures & Decor
🐟 Koi Ponds
🧚 Fairy Gardens
🌱 Hosta Collections
🚒 Themed Gardens
🔍 Unique Plant Specimens

And so much more! But the best part was being together. Thank you to everyone who made our Garden Party a spectacular time!

06/15/2026

Despite common misconceptions, rhubarb stalks do not turn toxic as the season goes on. However, they can become more fibrous, stringy, and tough, which is why harvesting is best done in spring and early summer. (It’s important to remember that rhubarb leaves are toxic due to high levels of oxalates and should never be eaten.) Limiting harvests later in the summer is mainly recommended to protect the plant’s long-term health and support future yields—not because the stalks become poisonous. go.iastate.edu/X677PC

06/03/2026

June 2026 Plant Wise Newsletter is here! 🍠🫛

Read all about sweet potatoes and pea nutrition, growing, cooking, and more!

Find it at the link in the comments ⬇️

06/03/2026

There is still plenty of time to register and spots available!
More information below about this awesome program!

There are still plenty of spots available! 📣
Register now for the Master Conservationist Program coming this August-September in Mills/Fremont County!

▪️ When: Tuesday's, August 4th-September 15th
▪️ Time: 6:00 p.m. - ~8:30 p.m.
▪️ Cost: $75 to cover all materials
▪️ What: The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and 7 face-to-face meetings
▪️ Who: Anyone interested in conservation or learning more about Mills/Fremont County natural resources and ecosystems!
▪️ Maximum 25 participants, registration deadline is July 24th.

The Master Conservationist Program provides hands-on learning experiences focused on Iowa’s diverse natural resources. Participants will learn about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the various conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region.

Find more information and the registration details at the link in the comments! ⬇️

Fremont County Iowa Extension and Outreach
Mills County Conservation Board

05/29/2026

We were excited to partner with Mills County YMCA earlier this week to talk about gardening with their summer camp kids! The kids learned how gardening is good for us (physical/mental health, social connection, responsibility/stewardship), what plants need to grow, and how to put it into practice by planting a salsa garden!

They were able to plant tomatoes, peppers, and onions in the raised garden beds, as well as planted squash and zucchini in the ground. 🍅🌶️🧅

05/26/2026

Introducing our 2026 Summer Assistants! 🤩

On the left, Sydney Norrish, our Horticulture/Master Gardener Coordinator, is taking on some extra duties this summer to help prep for Summer Camps and the Mills County Fair!

On the right, Megan Wells is joining us for the second time! Megan just graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with her bachelor's degree and will be pursuing her master's degree in the fall. Megan grew up in Mills County 4-H and is excited to be back with Mills County Extension this summer after being with us two summers ago!

05/26/2026

Register now for this awesome program! More information below!

Register now for the Master Conservationist Program, coming this August-September in Mills and Fremont Counties! 📣

Master Conservationists are individuals that share an interest in the sustainability of Iowa's natural resources and in becoming better stewards of those resources. This program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and several in-person, in-the-field "field-trips" to local areas. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices for leading and educating others to improve conservation in our area.

📅 Tuesdays, Aug. 4th-Sept. 15th
🕔 6:00 p.m. - ~8:30 p.m.
📍 Locations in both Mills and Fremont Counties
💵 Registration fee is $75 and includes all materials.
🔗 More information and registration details: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mills/master-conservationist-program-coming-fall-2026

Fremont County Iowa Extension and Outreach Mills County Conservation Board