Godwin to retire after 20 years of service to Lenoir County
After more than 20 years in service to the citizens of Lenoir County, Margaret “Peg” Walker Godwin has announced her intent to retire. On October 14th from 3-5 pm, the staff of the Lenoir County Center of NC Cooperative Extension, along with the Master Gardeners will be hosting a reception available to the public for Godwin.
“She is truly an inspiration to someone who may be thinking about growing something for the first time,” said Marsha Lovick of Kinston. “She can make the most common of flowers seem like the most beautiful plant because she is so enthusiastic as she describes what the plant is, where it will grow, and what to expect from that plant.”
Godwin used her knowledge to contribute to writing articles for both the NC State Horticulture Department and the Free Press assisting the gardeners of Eastern North Carolina. The information she wrote about allowed gardeners to have success within their own gardens.
“Peg Godwin taught the Master Gardener Class that I took in 2019 and encouraged all in that class to go on to be certified,” said Lovick. “She taught us our role as educators, as extensions of North Carolina State University and the local Cooperative Extension Center, and as good stewards of our land and other natural resources.”
Godwin was born in a jungle in Africa to missionary parents who went on to be effective teachers. Her siblings went on to earn education degrees. When she got the job as a Lenoir County Horticulture Agent, she was teaching as well.
“The only thing that truly riles Peg is for someone to call soil, dirt,” said Lovick. ”Dirt is something you sweep up and throw away while the soil is a beautiful media that grows beautiful plants.”
Godwin attributes her successes to working with a variety of people including Horticulture Agent Louis Howell of Wayne County, Billie Albritton, and Sandra Fox of Lenoir County Master Gardeners.
“Peg's enthusiasm, when it comes to educating our youth and adults, has been contagious,” said Tammy Kelly. “She was the driving force behind our Lenoir County Children's Garden from its inception, and continues to champion the merits as the Master Gardeners make plans to move it to a new location”
Godwin helped develop a children’s garden, but it is no longer usable. She hopes to find a new place for the children of Lenoir County to develop a love of gardening.
“Please assist us in finding a new, safe place for all children to learn about gardening,” said Godwin. “There are some very gifted Master Gardeners here who would love to teach the children.”
