On Nov. 19 the Tama County Master Gardeners met for a potluck and evening to celebrate all they have accomplished in 2019. Five people were recognized for completing the Master Gardener training requirements this fall to become Master Gardener Interns. This group included Connie Whaley, Lisa Eikamp, Lori Kalinay, Sara Sorensen, and Amanda Bolen. During the next twelve months, these individuals will complete forty hours of volunteer service in their community to earn the Master Gardener title.

Master Gardner

Recognition

Elisa Bardole, Kim Kuch, and Lori Johnson completed the requirements to become a Master Gardener in 2019, and were recognized with certificates, pins, and name badges. Others who were recognized for their work with the program in Tama county included Sarah Silhanek, Lisa Reinhard, BJ Reed, and Veryl Sievers.

Some of the projects the Master Gardeners completed this year include establishing and maintaining a Seed Library to distribute seeds and growing information, giving educational library programs, attending the STEM festival at STC elementary, providing education at the Toledo Farmers’ Market on a monthly basis, doing a seminar at the Tama County Fair, attending the Fall Festival at Otter Creek, and hosting a succulent workshop.

Make A

Winter Container

Their next program on how to make an outdoor winter container arrangement is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 6:30 at the Extension Office. Pre-register at 641-484-2703. Cost is $20 and includes everything needed; you bring your own pot filled with soil or sand.

Master Gadner

Program History

Since 1979 more than 14,540 Iowans have received Master Gardener training from Iowa State University Extension. The Extension Master Gardeners is an internationally recognized volunteer program. The program exists in all fifty states, and in Iowa is coordinated by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach with support from the Department of Horticulture.

The first Master Gardener Program was initiated in King County, Washington in 1972. The Iowa Master Gardener program was first piloted in Scott County in 1979. Today, there are Master Gardeners in more than 80 of the state’s counties. Each year Iowa Master Gardeners provide more than 100,000 hours of volunteer service back to their communities.

For more information about the program, contact Cheryl Bruene at Tama County Extension, 641-484-2703.