Lenoir County Cooperative Extension celebrated the volunteer service of local Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. Approximately 40 people were present for the celebration and enjoyed an evening of fellowship and good food.
The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program began in Lenoir County in 1991 with nine volunteers. Over the years more than 120 men and women have been trained in the program and thousands of volunteer hours have been given.
Training is required to become a Master Gardener Volunteer. Classes include a broad spectrum of horticulture topics that are based on research information. Master Gardener Volunteers share the knowledge gained in the training sessions with other gardeners in the community. Their efforts multiply the capabilities of county horticulture agents.
At the celebration congratulations were extended to four individuals who have completed the 2013 Master Gardener Training Class and received certificates for completion of the training. This group, including Margaret Butler, Ann Telford and Betty Young-Massamba is beginning to volunteer as a part of the program.
Also recognized with certificates were 28 Extension Master Gardener Volunteers who have been working in the program for as many as 20 years. The volunteer time given was noted for: Mary Chapman, Pat Sargeant, Marvel Turik, Pat Bizzell, Rachel Edwards, Bill Fox, Fran Dickerson, Max Kasselt, Jo Carroll, Russell Power, Ashley Dickerson, Cynthia Ramsay-Rhone, Dudley Dean, Earl Forehand, Judy Harris, Lottie Huntsman, Cathy Reese, Anne Ruggiero, Don Baker, Marjorie Suggs, Larry Bell, Georgia Ormond, JoAnne Poirier, Kim West, Barbara Baker, Pat Grady, Edna Jones and Pat Jones.
Bill Fox, a Master Gardener since 2001, received special recognition for volunteering the most hours in 2013. He was also given a pin for having contributed over 1,000 hours of volunteer time as a part of the program. Others given pins for contributing over 1,000 hours were James Dean, Fran Dickerson and Mary Chapman. Service pins were presented to Don Baker, Pat Sargeant and Marvel Turik for 500 volunteer hours. Also given special recognition was Pat Grady for the highest number of education hours.
Pins were given for five years of time to James Dean, Ashley Dickerson, Earl Forehand, Judy Harris, Lottie Huntsman, Cynthia Ramsey-Rhone, Cathy Reese and Anne Rugiero. Service pins for 10 years were given to Pat Bizzell, Jo Carroll, Fran Dickerson, Rachel Edwards, Russell Power and Bill Fox. Three volunteers were recognized with 20-year service pins: Mary Chapman, Pat Sargeant and Marvel Turik.
Putting a dollar value for volunteer time given, the value of this horticulture education program for 2013 is more than $30,000 to the county. Contact the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office to find out more about the Extension Master Gardener Program.
Peg Godwin is horticulture agent, Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Center, 1791 N.C. 11/55, Kinston, NC 28504. Reach her at 252-527-2191 or Peg_Godwin@ncsu.edu or 252-527-2191.