FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ann Nieuwenhuist
April 7, 2006County Extension Director
  (269) 384-8057



Master Gardener Volunteers to Receive Special Recognition Awards

Kalamazoo, Mich.- Special awards will be presented to 17 Master Gardener volunteers for their exceptional community service at the annual Recognition Banquet to be held at the Nazareth Complex on April 25.

Special recognition will be given to 5 Kalamazoo County Master Gardeners who have been in the program for 10 years serving the community through service projects and educational trainings:

Shirley Amos
Lynda McKinnon
Rosalie Philipp
Peggy Warlick
Becky Yaple


Additional service awards will be given to the following Master Gardener Volunteers in Kalamazoo County

250 hours of service pin

Fran Galow
Laurie Johnson
Gary Neidert
Laura Randall
Judi Sabo
Nancy Shirah
Arleigh Smyrnios


500 hours of service pin

Jill Ongley
Judi Roberts
Linda Whitlock


1,000 hours of service pin

Pat Sulier


1,500 hours of service pin

Jim Clarey


Volunteers who have completed their requirements for basic certification and re-certification status will also be recognized.

Master Gardener Volunteers in Kalamazoo County provide instruction through gardening projects throughout the community. Master Gardeners volunteer their time at many facilities and share their knowledge of plant choices and maintenance for a variety of gardening sites as well as provide educational information at local garden centers in May during their “Ask a Master Gardener” project.

Master Gardener Volunteers provided 9,800 hours of service to a variety of facilities in Kalamazoo County in 2005. One of the largest projects is a vegetable garden near Humphrey Products on Sprinkle Road. In 2005, Master Gardeners donated 1,500 hours of their time and harvested 37,000 pounds of fresh vegetables which were then donated to the Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes organization.

For more information about the Master Gardener Volunteer Program or Master Gardener classes, please contact MSU Extension in Kalamazoo County at (269) 383-8830 or e-mail msue39@msu.edu

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MSU Extension is an Affirmative-Action Equal-Opportunity Institution. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.

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