Update on Name Change in Ramsey County

Last Updated 10/13/2025

Originally Posted 9/11/2025

October 2025 Update

Workgroup continues to meet

Over the past few weeks, Ramsey County volunteer leaders have participated in five workgroup meetings. The group has compiled a list of advantages and drawbacks for five proposed names under consideration. Their work, facilitated by local and state Extension program leaders, will be forwarded to the Dean of Extension for a final decision, in consultation with the State Program and Ramsey County leaders.

The workgroup will now focus on developing a plan for implementing a name change, including assessing which items to rebrand, preparing cost estimates, and creating an implementation timeline. We again thank Beth Fritscher, Brianna Gohde, Elisa Iha, Karen Randall, and Kay Wimer for their continued time and effort.

Important reminders

In light of messages we’ve received from volunteers, we wanted to verify the following information:

• Master Gardener Volunteer Program credentials: Credentials awarded by the State Master Gardener Program will remain unchanged. When an intern completes the Horticulture Core Course and volunteer hour requirement, they will be a Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program Volunteer, and it will be reflected on their certificate. However, individual nametags for Ramsey County volunteers will reflect the new name.

  
  

• Distribution of materials created at the state level: Materials created by the statewide program for statewide use will continue to use the Master Gardener branding. This includes educational materials, resources, and the annual report.

• Rebranding timeline: By the end of November, the workgroup plans to finish assessing which items need to be rebranded and/or replaced, with cost estimates completed by the end of the year. Purchasing new items and making necessary updates will occur early in 2026.

• Master Gardeners interested in joining a different group: Volunteers interested in changing their county program or joining the statewide Volunteer-at-Large Program should contact mgweb@umn.edu.

• Ramsey County name change is part of a county-wide effort: Since 2022, Ramsey County has taken steps to remove “master” from all contracts and programs county-wide. In keeping with that effort, county commissioners asked the Extension gardener volunteer program to formally change its name in the county. Initially, Extension proposed an engagement process it had developed for this purpose, but in July 2025, commissioners requested the change be initiated immediately through a different process. The Dean of Extension agreed to the request. This necessitated a shorter-term process and the current workgroup began its work.

Update Meeting

An online webinar is being scheduled for Monday Oct. 27, 2025 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with representatives from Ramsey County, Extension, and the Master Gardener Volunteer Program. The webinar will provide additional context about the name change, as well as an update from the workgroup about its progress. A separate email will be sent with the link to the webinar.

FAQ updates

We invite you to continue emailing rcname@umn.edu – the address dedicated to this work that is monitored daily by program staff. We will continue responding directly to inquiries but will also post updates to the FAQs (last updated today) based on the frequency of repeat questions.

Thank you for your continued service, patience, and support as we move forward together.

With gratitude,

Jamie Spanks, Program Specialist and Workgroup Facilitator

Darren Lochner, Extension Leadership, Ramsey County

September 2025 Update

9/11/2025

All Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteers received an email in August with an update on the name of our program.  As a note, the email was sent from the following email address - rcname@umn.edu. Please add this address to your contacts since this will be the primary email used to communicate with volunteers on this topic.

The email shared some of the following information:

"As many of you know, the name of the Ramsey County Master Gardener program has been under discussion for quite some time. At the request of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, Ramsey County and University of Minnesota Extension are now partnering to rename the volunteer program in Ramsey County. University of Minnesota Extension respects the language preferences and culture of Ramsey County as a valued partner and has agreed to the change. The statewide program will continue under its current name and branding."

A workgroup has been formed to provide input on potential new name options, advise on developing a strategy to introduce the new name, and help shape a plan for implementing the change.  The workgroup composed of five Ramsey County Master Gardener volunteers, representatives from Ramsey County Administration, the Master Gardener statewide program and the University of Minnesota Extension Dean’s Office began meeting on September 9th and will provide input and guidance of this work.

For more information, please view this FAQ,(updated September 9th) which will be updated as work progresses.

If volunteers have questions or concerns they are encouraged to message the rcname@umn.edu email.

If volunteers have questions or concerns they are encouraged to message the rcname@umn.edu email.

Darren Lochner

Program Coordinator