Update on Name Change in Ramsey County

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.

Darren Lochner

Program Coordinator