By: Rachel Melvin, Horticulture Educator & Master Gardener Coordinator-Queen Anne’s County
After another successful year of volunteering the University of Maryland Extension-Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener program celebrated with a Holiday Luncheon at Molly’s Inn in Galena, MD. The Master Gardeners welcomed new University of Maryland Extension-Area Extension Director Aly Valentine, director of Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties. Annually, Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners volunteer over 4,000 hours to Queen Anne’s County and its resident’s. This equates to a savings of tax payer dollars to the tune of almost $90,000. Queen Anne’s County has over 60 active Master Gardeners and 7 new Master Gardener Interns that have been trained and certified by the University of Maryland. The Maryland Master Gardener mission is to “educate Maryland residents about safe, effective, and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes and communities.” Ongoing Master Gardener projects within Queen Anne’s County include the Bay-Wise program, the Grow It Eat It initiative, A Garden Affair, “Ask A Master Gardener” plant clinics, Junior Master Gardeners, Master Gardener Training, and Demonstration Gardens.
Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners receiving awards for 2011 include: Sandy Simonson and Fran Peters for 10 years of service. Suzanne Davis, Lorna Dutch, Jackie Kelly, Dave Gauntt, Cheryl Huyck, Judy Geggis, Debbie Pusey and Roger Tilden for 5 years of service. Judy Conley, Bonnie Conner, Bonnie Dixon, Jack Doub, Kate Greer, Margaret Gardener, Betty McAtee, Cass Smith, Nick Stoer, and Edith Lewis for 3 years of service. Jim Persels, Joe Jelich, Lynn Wait, Stephanie Simpson, Susan McRae, Dick Crane, Louise Shearer, and Carolyne Grotsky for completing Master Gardener Intern requirements and becoming fully fledged Master Gardeners.
Additionally, Master Gardener Susan Seth was recognized as Master Gardener of the Year for 2011. Susan, volunteers many hours as Chairperson of ‘A Garden Affair,’ which is held on the second Saturday of May at the Centreville Library
and Historic Wright’s Chance in Centreville, MD. She also helps with many other Master Gardener projects and activities. Also, Master Gardener Intern Jim Persels was recognized as Master Gardener Intern of the Year for 2011. Jim jumped head first into the Master Gardener Program volunteering as a member of countless Master Gardener committees’ and projects. He also helps tend to the Centreville Library Rain Garden.
To learn more about Master Gardener Programs and events in Queen Anne’s County visit https://queenannes.umd.edu/QACMG/index.cfm . Also, if you are interested in becoming a Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Volunteer contact Rachel Melvin, (410) 758-0166 or [email protected]; or visit Queen Anne’s County Extension, 505 Railroad Avenue, Suite 4, Centreville, MD 21617, the next training session will be held in the early fall of 2012 and runs for 9 weeks.
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