Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteers of Dare County

On your 1st place winning entry in the International Master Gardener Search for Excellence, workshop category!

About the Dare County EMGV Speakers Bureau:

The Speakers Bureau was created several years ago to provide much needed continuing education for Master Gardener volunteers and residents of Dare County. Presentations are open to the public for anyone to come and learn, and are a valuable way to recruit new Master Gardener volunteers. By partnering with Dare County public libraries, senior centers and other agencies, EMGVs are able to offer educational programs to the public throughout the 108-mile-long county. Between 2016 and 2017, these EMGV led classes and demonstrations were attended by 690 Outer Banks residents. A partnership with Dare County Government TV has resulted in the following presentations being available online as Youtube videos:  

• Gardening with deer nearby  
  
• Composting 
  
• Gardening on theOuter Banks 

Photos From the 2018 NCEMGVA Conference - June 7-9  : Gardening A Prescription for Healthy Living

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

2018 NCEMGVA Awards, Grants and Madeline Collier Landscape Garden Design Competition Prize Presented at the NCEMGVA State Conference in Greenville, June 8-9th.

The Educational Matching Grants Program 

• Provides partial funding for one-day or partial-day events cooperatively planned by EMGVs and Extension personnel.

 • Utilizing research based information, these events are intended to foster the growth and education of EMGVs, as well as the general public.

The 2018 Educational Matching Grant is awarded to: 

Johnston County for their Birds, Bees and Butterflies: Growing Native Gardens Symposium!

“The 2018 grant is to partially fund a full day symposium planned for October 2019 focusing on birds, bees and butterflies as important pollinators, their relationship to native plants and promoting growing native plants in the landscape. Anne Spafford, Landscape Architect and a NCSU Horticulture Professor will be one of the speakers along with backyard bird expert, NCSU Professor Chris Moorman and Charlotte Glen, State NCEMGV Coordinator.”

Grantwriter MarJean Telke accepted on behalf of the Johnston County program.

Johnston County Master Gardener, MarJean Telke, (center) accepts the NCEMGVA Educational Matching Grant from NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

The NCEMGVA Project Grants Program

● Provides partial funding for demonstration, school or community garden and educational projects that further the goals of individual and multi-county EMGV programs.

A 2018 Project Grant is awarded to Orange County for the Cedar Grove Community Center Senior and Youth Community Garden.

“The Cedar Grove Community Center will develop a partnership between the senior citizens and youth of the community to grow and provide fresh fruits and vegetables. This project will provide a hand-on approach to healthy eating, environmental changes, water conservation and team building.”

NCEMGVA Delegate, Bill Harris. accepted on behalf of Orange County.

Orange County Master Gardener, and NCEMGVA County Delegate, Bill Harris, (center) accepts a NCEMGVA Project Grant from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

A 2018 Project Grant is awarded to Rowan County for their ​Edible Curbside Demonstration Garden.

“The current parking area at the Rowan County Center has curbed islands of grass with demonstration trees. County maintenance mowers are too large, blowing mulch away and damaging trees. Rowan County Extension Master Gardeners will make these areas low maintenance, with a twist, by using sustainable edible plants as a demonstration for potential urban parking lots.”

Sandy Quinn accepted the certificate and check on behalf of Rowan County.

NCEMGVA Project Grant for Rowan County's Edible Curbside Demonstration Garden presented to Sandy Quinn by NCEMGVA Award and Grants Co-Chairs Margery Pearl, right, and Brenda Clayton, on the left.

The Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award 

● Represents an opportunity for EMGVs to recognize their colleagues for exceptional service to their county program and also to the State Association.

2018 Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer Mary Leonhardi from Orange ​County

From the application question, “What makes this EMGV Outstanding?” “Mary started our pollinator garden 5 years ago working with town and local boy scouts to obtain and clear the land. It was expanded last year to include a “Bee Hotel” and is recognized as a highlight in our local park. 2 years ago, she began a mentorship program for new EMGVs to walk them through and enhance the certification process. It has been a great program for our new interns. Mary is a doer. She cares. She makes things happen. She recognizes a need, figures out a solution and makes it happen. Mary is a strong, strong, asset to our program.”

Orange County EMGV Mary Leonhardi (center) receives a 2018 NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

2018 Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Carole Massey from Rowan County

The description on our next Outstanding Volunteer application under County and Regional Program participation and leadership for our next Outstanding Volunteer was very lengthy and very impressive. One highlight was that she appeared on an episode of “In the Garden with Bryce Lane”, explaining the garden features of the West End Community Garden. What makes her outstanding? Her nominator writes: “Carole is our link from 1998 to today. She sustains relationships, encourages members and shows by example how to get things done. Carole is proud to be a Master Gardener and a champion of the goals for Extension.” Her motto also inscribed on the award: “It’s What We Do”

NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award presented to Rowan County EMGV Carole Massey by NCEMGVA Co-Chairs Margery Pearl, right, and Brenda Clayton, on the left.

2018 Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Cindy Scott of Davidson County

Cindy is described as “A Master Gardener Who Shares.” Her nominator writes: Since 2009, Cindy has led our MG Association to share local gardens by directing our Spring Garden Tours. Along with the Fall Plant Sales, also under Cindy’s capable leadership, these events draw gardeners from surrounding counties. The funds raised have enabled us to support our annual Garden Conference, many service projects and college scholarships. Cindy’s ability to share is far reaching!”

Cindy Scott could not attend the Conference. Accepting on her behalf was Anice Griffin, President of the Davidson County Association.

Anice Griffin, DCEMGVA President, accepts a 2018 NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award for Davidson County's Cindy Scott from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

2018 Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Chris Stadther from Dare County

Chris had a one and a half page listing of accomplishments! What makes this EMGV outstanding? Her nominator writes: “Chris’s service goes beyond mere hours. She is a versatile volunteer who has had a positive impact on the Dare County Master Gardener program. Besides being active in the Association, she serves as a teacher, mentor, and public speaker by leading team efforts, creating educational programs and inspiring others to volunteer.”

Dare County EMGV Chris Stadther (center) receives a 2018 NCEMGVA Outstanding Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Award from Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right).

The NC State Extension Achievement Award 

● Recognizes those County Directors, Horticultural or Agricultural Agents, or others within the NC State Cooperative Extension who have significantly contributed to the success of their EMGV Program.

The 2018 NC State Extension Achievement Award Winner Dr. Jeana Myers, Wake County Horticulture-Agriculture Agent

The Award recognizes Jeana for her outstanding leadership of more than 140 program volunteers. Recent accomplishments by Jeana and her team include the ​Raleigh Urban Horticulture Award and the "​Ready-Garden-Grow" vegetable gardening classes. The award was presented by EMGVs Cathy Burton and Annette Byrd from Wake County.

NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Margery Pearl (far right) and Brenda Clayton (far left), Wake EMGVs Cathy Burton (center right) and Annette Byrd (center left) presenting the NCEMGVA Award to Wake County Horticulture- Agriculture Agent, Jeana Myers (center).

Wake County Horticulture-Agriculture Agent, Jeana Myers, accepting the NCEMGVA NC Extension Achievement Award

Madeline Collier Landscape Garden Design Competition

Category A for less than 50 members and Category B for 50 or more members. 

● Is intended to showcase EMGV demonstration and educational gardens that have been completed, are under construction, or are in the late design stage of planning.

Category A Madeline Collier Competition winner for their Hellstrip/Groundcover Demonstration Garden is Rowan County

“The garden concept was to demonstrate how a small “Hellstrip”, the area between the sidewalk and the curb, could be planted in a more interesting way. Liriope was replaced by a variety of small, low maintenance, drought tolerant perennials, succulents, herbs, groundcovers and bulbs. No fertilizer or pesticide was used.”

Sandy Quinn accepted the certificate and check on behalf of Rowan County.

Madeline Collier Landscape Garden Design Competition prize presented to Sandy Quinn (center) for Rowan County's Hellstrip Groundcover Demonstration Garden by NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Margery Pearl (right) and Brenda Clayton (left).

Category B Madeline Collier Competition winner for their “Herbs Gone Spiral!” Garden​ is Pitt County

“The Pitt County Arboretum’s new spiral herb garden shows how to grow many herbs in a small space. The height for the spiral herb garden is made of stacked flagstones. From a major pathway, visitors see how more plants with varying sun and water requirements can be grown in a small space. The Pitt County Arboretum compost nourishes all plantings and pesticides are not used.”

Knox Chadwick and Mary Jo Larkin accepted on behalf of Pitt County.

Pitt County Master Gardeners, Mary Jo Larkin (center left) and Knox Chadwick (center right), accept the MC Landscape Garden Competition prize from NCEMGVA Awards Co-Chairs Brenda Clayton (left) and Margery Pearl (right)

Free Pollinator Champions Online Course
The Michigan Pollinator Initiative team is excited to announce the  
launch of our new online course! Pollinator Champions is a free,  
self-paced course offered at Michigan State University. The course is  
packed full of videos, articles, and fun activities to guide you  
through the amazing world of pollinators and pollination. Anyone with  
an internet connection can enroll. You do not have to be an MSU  
student or faculty to participate.

Everyone is welcome to learn about pollinators for free, but for a  
small contribution, you can also receive a certificate and materials  
to help you give your own presentations about pollinators. Help us  
spread the word as an MSU Certified Pollinator Champion!

Read more or register for Pollinator Champions at  
www.pollinators.msu.edu/ programs/pollinator-champions/

Click Here for the Pollinator Champions flyer 

Dr. Lucy Bradley Professor and Extension Specialist, Urban Horticulture

Director, Extension Master Gardener Program

Department of Horticultural Science

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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