Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County 2024 Accomplishments & Horticulture grant recipients
Photo: Submitted (left to right) Consumer Horticulture Agent & EMGV Advisor Paige Petticrew, 4-H Program Assistant Joel Dixon, and 4-H Agent Abbigail Wells
The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County (EMGV) held their Annual Christmas Party & Achievement Banquet December 10th. With over 30 EMGV and guests, great food and lots of laughter was shared throughout the celebration. Consumer Horticulture Agent & EMGV Advisor Paige Petticrew, 4-H Agent Abbigail Wells, and 4-H Program Assistant Joel Dixon were in attendance to join in the celebrations.
Volunteers were recognized for the volunteer and educational hours achieved this year. Certificates were awarded to EMGV eligible for re-certification. To reach re-certification status, EMGV have to log 20 volunteer hours where they are volunteers on behalf of the Extension Master Gardener program sharing research-based horticulture knowledge, as well as log 10 educational hours where they continue to sharpen their horticulture skill set. The volunteer group in Lenoir County consists of 18 active members and 4 active emeritus members. Active members, that have to continue to log hours, accumulated 2,565 volunteer hours and 562 education hours in 2024. NC State University accredits each hour of volunteer time equating to $29.95, which totals to $76,821.75 of work that the EMGV volunteered. How incredible! Special awards were given for cumulative hours of service as certified EMGV which included: 250 Hours: Dirk Griffith, Debbie Jones; 500 Hours: Sally Durst, Rebecca Hill; 1000 Hours: Barbara Sykes. Years of service awards were also given which included: 5 years: Jeannie Holmes, April Houston, Marsha Lovick, Karen Mulcahy.
Consumer Horticulture Agent and EMGV Advisor Paige Petticrew taught the EMGV course this past spring and graduated four students from the course which then allowed them to become Extension Master Gardener Interns. As EMG Interns, they are required to complete 40 hours of volunteer time to be eligible for Certified EMGV status. At the banquet two of those interns, Geri Hardee & Carol McKnight received certificates stating the completion of their internship, and their eligibility for Certified Status.
Several Excellence Awards were also given out: EMGV of Lenoir County of the Year was proudly presented to Marsha Lovick. The LCEMGV of the year is someone who embodies the core values & spirit of EMGV. They have a passion for service and horticulture and show that in each activity they participate in with the group. They go above and beyond for each project, and are always around to lend a helping hand.
The Green Thumb Award was proudly presented to Jeannie Holmes. The "Green Thumb" is someone that goes above and beyond to ensure materials for any projects are taken care of to the best of their ability. It is someone that ensures everyone has what they need for planting days at any site, and that the plant material is high quality. They think outside the box and always find a way to make the most of every experience.
The Seed of Knowledge Award was proudly presented to Sally Durst. The "Seed of Knowledge" is someone that is excellent in teaching others about horticulture. This person embodies the idea of sharing their passion for research-based horticultural methods in creative methods such as, hands-on activities, workshops, projects to enhance an area, etc.
Other awards given which were sure to bring lots of laughter included: Most Likely to give you gardening advice whether you ask for it or not, Lisa Dail; Most likely to save a plant from the brink of death, Barbara Sykes; Most likely to have dirt under their nails, Sally Durst & Lisa Dail; & Best at turning a garden tour into a 3-hour educational seminar, Jeannie Holmes.
Honorary EMGV awards were given to Bruce Durst & Eddie King for their exceptional dedication and outstanding service to the group.
Three horticulture grants were awarded to teachers in Lenoir County. This long-standing grant has been awarded for the past several years, and this year there were several great applicants. The top three chosen to receive the grant included:
Kennedy Odom at Contentnea-Savannah with her project entitled: Growing green: teaching middle school students waste education & soil health with vermicomposting
Brenda Griffin at Pink Hill Elementary with her project entitled: Grateful grapes to honor a great leader
and
Jenna Manning at Banks Elementary with her project entitled: Terrarium in a jar: a closer look at ecosystems
The EMGV are very excited to see their projects come to life as each teacher had the opportunity to share at the banquet how their project would come to life in the classroom and at each school.
The EMGV and Agent Paige Petticrew are proud of all that the organization has accomplished this year, and all of those in the community that have helped support their needs.
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