Kudos to the Noble County and Marion County Master Gardeners who were recognized for their outstanding programs on at the 2011 International Master Gardener Conference in Charleston, West Virginia. Search for Excellence is the recognition program of Master Gardener volunteer work throughout the United States and Canada.
Winning projects were chosen on the basis of their originality and creativity; practicality of the program; simplicity of replication by other Master Gardeners, and their significant impact on their communities. A total of 19 Master Gardener programs were recognized for outstanding achievement in programming from a field of over 100 applicants.
First, second and third place awards were presented in six categories:
Innovative Projects
Community Service
Youth Programs
Workshop or presentation
Special Needs Audiences
Demonstration Gardens.
First place winners received a plaque and a small stipend to continue their educational projects. Congratulations to these Master Gardeners and Extension staff for their excellence in educating citizens about horticulture and good gardening practices.
First Place in Special Needs Audience:
Noble County, Indiana for Chain O’ Lakes Correctional Facility Landscape and Gardening Classes for Inmates.
Noble County Master Gardeners from left to right – Chuck Sweeney, Jan Sweeney, Bruce Kennedy, Liz Lightner and Sara Weeks
Second Place in Demonstration Gardens:
Marion County, Medicinal Plant Garden at the Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis
Kathy Hull, Meredith Hull, and Judy Turner
Kathy Hull with project poster.
Congratulations to our outstanding volunteers! We are so proud!
Learn more about International Extension Master Gardener Program here: https://mastergardener.extension.org/