Established in 1977, the University of Rhode Island’s Master Gardener Program trains volunteers in sustainable gardening practices and environmental stewardship. Master Gardeners provide educational services, hands-on support, and resource sharing statewide, helping thousands of Rhode Island residents gain access to fresh produce, outdoor learning spaces, and gardening support.
Run through URI Cooperative Extension, the program utilizes a train-the-trainer approach, preparing volunteers to become leaders and educators. “The train-the-trainer model ensures that knowledge is not just passed along, but amplified throughout Rhode Island,” says Matthew Durham, who was recently hired as the program leader. “It creates a ripple effect, allowing a smaller group of trained individuals to reach far more people and have a lasting impact.”
A seasoned gardener and advocate for environmental education, Durham now oversees the URI Master Gardener Program across the state, supporting volunteers and managing the core training, consultant gardens, educational services, continuing education, and the School Garden Mentor Program. Last year, the program included 850 active volunteers and partnerships with 43 community organizations and 45 school sites across the state.
“I’m drawn to the URI Master Gardener Program because of its courage to ask deeper questions about its role in building a more inclusive community,” Durham says. “I value that the program not only emphasizes sharing research-based gardening knowledge, but also challenges our volunteers to think critically about what it means to hold ‘expertise’ within the gardening world.”
Durham’s personal and professional life has long been rooted in the landscapes and communities of southern New England. The Westerly, Rhode Island resident grew up in nearby North Stonington, Connecticut. His passion for gardening began at a young age; some of his earliest memories are of time spent in family gardens. “I can vividly remember the annual fall burial and spring excavation of our fig tree, and sorting through seed potatoes with my dad,” he says. “I carry these memories, and many others, with me along my gardening journey.”
After earning degrees in Natural Sciences and Environmental Education from Hamline University and in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, Durham has built a career in environmental education. Over the past decade, he’s worked at the intersection of gardening, farming, cooking, and nature-based learning. His experience spans organizations such as Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, Newton Community Farm, and the Yellow Farmhouse Education Center, and includes curriculum development, program and volunteer management, grant administration, and professional development facilitation.
A consistent theme across his roles has been connecting people to the food system, the natural world, and to each other in meaningful ways. “I’m driven by the belief that growing food and experiencing nature should not be limited to a few, and I’m motivated by work that actively questions and breaks down structural barriers to participation,” he says. “Throughout my career I’ve also been drawn to listening to people’s stories and understanding how their lived experiences intersect with food, land, and community.”
Having previously worked with the URI Master Gardener Program and successfully completed the core training himself in 2023, Durham brings both institutional knowledge and firsthand experience to the role.
“I’m excited to learn alongside our volunteers and partner organizations, and to continue evolving the program in ways that are responsive to Rhode Island’s communities and landscapes, as well as our changing climate,” Durham says. “I feel grateful for all the support I’ve received so far in this role, and am honored to build on the amazing foundations already in place here.”
URI’s Cooperative Extension advances the University’s land-grant commitment to public education by ensuring that research serves local communities. URI Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program offers environmentally-friendly, science-based programs for garden enthusiasts of all levels. Have gardening questions? Email gardener@uri.edu or call (401) 874 -4836 to connect with the URI Gardening and Environmental Hotline. Learn more at https://web.uri.edu/coopext/.