Pictured above: Mission Master Gardeners explain the Mission Monarch/Rain Garden to their fellow Masters from many states
The KS State Extension Master Gardeners of Johnson County hosted over 50 participants of the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference 2023. Gardeners from many states toured the Mission’s acclaimed rain garden/Monarch Way Station, the vintage vegetable and herb gardens and the native plant gardens. They strolled the grounds and crossed the Mission’s spring-fed creek to shop at the Mission’s pop-up Three Springs Market for unique items created by local artists and artisans. It was a hot day, but the many large trees provided welcome cool shade. Mission Master Gardener Chair, Audrey Wiegmann and her enthusiastic, expert team of Master Gardeners provided the narrative at each garden.
There was great appreciation for all the Conference offered. Master Gardeners were also impressed with Kansas City and those from nearby states expressed an interest in returning to the Mission to spend more time viewing exhibits.
The Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners is one of the Missions very important partners. Others include the Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society, a direct descendant of the tenacious ladies who lobbied the State to create an historic site, The Johnson County Young Matrons, the Questers, and a host of historic societies including the Free Trappers and the DAR.
