BOONE, Iowa—In mid-January, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Boone County hosted the Boone County Master Gardener annual dinner and awards ceremony to celebrate new graduates and a successful year. Honorees included three new Master Gardener interns, two new Master Gardeners, and two Master Gardeners recognized for excellence.
The purpose of the Iowa Master Gardener Program is to provide current, research-based home horticulture information and education to the citizens of Iowa through ISU Extension and Outreach programs and projects. Master Gardeners are individuals who take an active interest in horticulture. They have received training in horticulture through ISU Extension and Outreach. In return for training, Master Gardener interns volunteer in extension horticulture programs and projects which enhance the community. Individuals who complete the 40 hours of volunteer service in addition to course work are then entitled to receive the Master Gardener distinction and continue to volunteer in the community.
Bobbie Miles of Boone and Gayle Rinehart of Boone were honored at the dinner as new Master Gardeners. They have completed their 40 hours of volunteer work and have moved from the ranks of intern to an official Master Gardener.
New Master Gardener interns were also recognized. InSun Colerick of Boone, Dell Higgins of Ogden and Marva Stark of Boxholm have just completed the class work this fall. They were recognized and presented with a graduation certificate. They will begin working on their 40 hours of volunteer service in order to obtain their Master Gardener distinction.
InSun Colerick of Boone, Dell Higgins of Ogden and Marva Stark of Boxholm
Bobbie Miles of Boone was honored for reaching 500 hours of volunteer service, a very impressive milestone considering this is her first year in the program. Bob Getschman of Boone was recognized for reaching 2000 hours of volunteer service. These Master Gardeners were honored with a commemorative pin.
The Boone County Master Gardener program currently includes 23 active Master Gardeners, Interns and Trainees. In 2018, the volunteers completed 1902 hours of volunteer work for the community. For more information about the Master Gardener program and projects, please contact the Boone County Extension office located at 1327 S. E. Marshall Street in Boone or by phoning 432-3882.
(contributed article and photo, Boone County Extension and Outreach)
