Stan Sims, Extension Educator from Lake County, received the Educator of the Year Award from the Purdue Master Gardener Program during the annual conference on June 25, 2004.
Stan Sims received his BS (1963) and MS (1974) degrees from Purdue University. He taught high school vocational agriculture in Wayne County for 16 years and was a branch bank manager for 11 years during which time he also owned a greenhouse operation. Hobbies include growing roses, observing nature and attending NASCAR races.
He joined the Extension family in March, 1990 as ANR Educator and CED in Fayette County, IN. In July, 1996, he transferred to Lake County as ANR Educator and added the CED responsibilities in June, 2003.
The Master Gardener Volunteer training course was being taught every other year with a waiting list of over 100 in 1996. Since 1997 the course has been taught every year and the waiting list reached over 325 in 2004. There are 500 Master Gardeners in the county. Over 6000 volunteer hours have been recorded in the last 8 months. Volunteers are involved in 32 activities plus 22 standing committees. They also answer the helplines every day, May thru September. There are 17 municipalities in the county with Master Gardeners in every municipality.
Favorite quote:
“Apprentice yourself to nature and not a day will pass without it opening a new and wondrous world of experience to learn from and enjoy.” -Richard Langer