Gardeners honored for service

More than 330 Michigan State University Extension Genesee County Master Gardener volunteers were honored on Thursday, March 6 for 18,138 hours of service to the community in more than 100 educational projects throughout Genesee County in 2007.

Receiving the "2007 Outstanding Master Gardener of the Year" awards were Mel Kennedy of Davison and Maggie Gregg of Swartz Creek.

Others from Davison honored either for new certification or for cumulative volunteer hours, included Pat Brady, Shelly Roberts, Sharon Wilson and Diane Strang.

Volunteers were congratulated by state representatives Lee Gonzales and Ted Hammon, and Genesee County Parks and Recreation Director Amy McMillan at the Holiday Inn-Gateway Centre in Flint.

The recogntion banquet honored newly certified Master Gardener and Advanced Master Gardener volunteers.

Special recognitions were awarded to five outstanding Master Gardener volunteers for 2007. In addition, 62 volunteers received basic certification as Master Gardeners, while 19 received Advanced Master Gardener certification.

Many veteran Master Gardener Volunteers received honors for cumulative volunteer hours worked in the community. These ranged from 250 hours pins to a 7,500 hours pin awarded to Alicia Ellis, of Flushing.

Kathy Baker of Flint and Rose McCarthy of Clio were honored with the "2007 Master Gardener Award for Distinguished Service and Continued Contributions to Horticulture Education in Genesee County."

Anne Wiseman of Owosso was recognized for 30 years of active service to the Genesee Master Gardener Program.

The Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by MSU Extension. For more information about the program contact Terry McLean at 244-8530.