2024 Impact Report
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
16,222 participants engaged
MSHS’s two signature community outreach programs—Minnesota Green (MG) and Garden-in-a-Box (GIAB)—served a growing number of gardeners of all ages and skill levels.
“The gardens are available to low income community members and have helped educate and encourage them to garden in their own homes (and) provide people in the community with healthy food access.“
—U of M SNAP ED
EDUCATION
4,000 live and on-demand class attendees served
In 2024, MSHS offered 37 classes—a mix of webinars and in-person workshops—serving thousands of gardeners of all ages and backgrounds. We continued collaborating with a long list of knowledgeable instructors to bring high-quality, in-depth educational programming, all laser-focused on cold-climate gardening..
“MSHS has served Minnesota gardeners for well over a century through good times and hard times. It is the number one resource for (cold-climate) gardeners and has been the major resource for us as we have gone from beginning to competent gardeners.“
—Anonymous, donor
MEMBERSHIP
“I love the magazine, that it’s Minnesota-specific, because we have our own gardening challenges. I am up north so zone 3 information is helpful.”
PAMELA J.
Bemidji, MN
9,712 members served in 2024
MEDIA OUTREACH
Half a million gardeners reached
Northern Gardener® magazine
Written and edited by northern gardening pros for gardeners of all skill levels in USDA Hardiness Zones 3, 4 and 5, this award-winning publication is the only one of its kind. From drool-worthy garden features to tips for gardening more sustainably, each seasonal issue (published quarterly) is packed full of northern gardening inspiration, DIY projects and current trends, all rooted in science and trusted experience.
Northern Gardener E-News
Distributed twice a month to subscribers with the latest seasonal tips, community events and educational opportunities to keep growing year-round. (Subscribe here)
Northern Gardener Online
Our website and Resource Hub provide free access to growing tips, an event calendar and maps of community gardens, while our social media presence continues to connect gardeners with quick nuggets of info.
“The new issue of Northern Gardener inspired me to do some simple things – like amending the soil in springtime – that
my Master Gardener friends do, but I have never done, have never thought to do myself. Your new editor and layout person are doing an outstanding job!”
—Pamela K., member
VOLUNTEERS
2,000 volunteer hours logged
Our lean staff of five can’t do this mountain of work alone. In 2024, 220 generous volunteers donated time and skills in the board room, on committees and as office support, plant deliverers, seed sorters, gardeners, educators, bloggers, moderators and event support. Their logged hours are quantifiable, but the value? Priceless.
“Supporting new gardeners, community gardens and giving gardens to increase food production and distribution, particularly in underserved communities, is an excellent way to combat food deserts and increase community relations!”
—Stephanie B.
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