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ESCANABA -- Elizabeth Slajus of Iron Mountain was among the Michigan State University Extension Master Gardeners from the Upper Peninsula recognized for their many volunteer hours and continued assistance with the MSU Extension's public gardening outreach and educational efforts.
Although they were not required to complete any volunteer hours during this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many opted to continue volunteering while following the MSU COVID-19 guidelines. No face-to-face volunteer efforts were allowed during 2020.
Despite these restrictions, they volunteered more than 1,000 hours with an economic impact of nearly $29,000 to communities. Volunteer projects focused on food gardening, gardening with children, improving communities through beautification and assisting MSU Extension with public education of the gardening public.
The virtual recognition event began with remembrance of Phyllis Johnson, an Extension Master Gardener from Chassell who died in 2020. She was a dedicated member who took the training in 2014 after retiring as a research librarian at Michigan Technological University.
Johnson's main volunteer project involved organizing and coordinating volunteers and school groups to beautify and maintain more than 20 gardens along U.S. 41 in Chassell. She also was an Extension Master Gardener Smart Gardening Volunteer educating gardener at numerous venues and was a member of the specialized team that answers gardening questions on the MSU Extension Lawn and Garden Hotline. Her community impacts were significant and she will be sadly missed for her community spirit and kindness.
Following this time of remembrance, newly certified Extension Master Gardeners were recognized. To gain certification, trainees successfully complete the training course consisting of 50-plus hours of educational content and then completing 40 volunteer hours. Their volunteer hours must focus on educating others on the science-based, environmentally friendly gardening practices they learned while in the course. Those earning their certification included Crystal Geroux, Jodi Dessillier, Gina Kerr, Deb Kinzi and Jean McParlan.
Advanced Extension Master Gardener status is earned after initial certification by those volunteering an additional 50 hours and earning 25 educational hours in five consecutive years. Those earning this title in the U.P. were Brenda Hershey, Peg Hertel, Gene Kuiper and Susan Miko.
Members also receive recognition for specific numbers of volunteer hour contributions over their service. These milestones are 250, 500 and 1,000 or more volunteer hours. Newly recognized are contributing 250 total hours were Henry Knoch, Marci Niemi and Linda Roncaglioney. Recognized are contributing 500 total hours was Jan Peck. Those who had volunteered 1,000-plus hours were Jeannette Hauver, Linda Andriacchi and Karen Moore.
Extension Master Gardener Smart Gardening volunteers include: Amalia Anderson, Linda Andriacchi, Greta Arntzen, Carolyn Bissell, Ruth Botbyl, Jeannie DeClerck, Steve Gordon, Vicky Gordon, Lisa Gregg, Peg Hertel, Lisa Johnson, Deb Kinzi, Henry Knoch, Jackie Manchester-Kempke, Erin Minne, Jan Peck, Carol Plitz, Ron Rossway, Claire Shefferly-Twohey, Elizabeth Slajus, Hilary Sproule, Cathy Starrett, Sue Wanic and Linda Winslow.
"Ask an Expert" responders serve on a statewide team of specially trained Extension Master Gardeners and MSU Extension staff. Over 9,000 online questions are answered annually. Upper Peninsula Extension Master Gardeners who serve as "Ask an Expert" responders include Carolyn Bissell and Henry Knoch.
Extension Master Gardeners assist MSU Extension consumer horticulture staff with public outreach to help meet the escalating demand for gardening information. They contribute in various ways, such as becoming specially trained Smart Gardening Volunteers, answering online "Ask an Expert" questions, or phone calls on the MSU Extension Lawn and Garden Hotline.
In whatever manner they choose to contribute, these Extension Master Gardeners gain additional training to provide consistent, research-based answers to public questions. Upper Peninsula Extension Master Gardener Smart Gardening Volunteers provide information on earth-friendly, sustainable gardening practices to the public at various pre-COVID-19 events to expand MSU's educational outreach capacity.
Those recognized for serving as responders on the MSU Extension Lawn and Garden Hotline include Elizabeth Slajus, Carolyn Bissell, Henry Knoch, Deb Kinzi, Lisa Gregg and Erin Minne. These responders assist callers immediately with gardening questions, providing them research-based responses and references.
"The recognition was an enjoyable event spent celebrating the many contributions that Extension Master Gardeners provide across the Upper Peninsula," said Rebecca Krans, Upper Peninsula Extension Master Gardener Program coordinator and MSU consumer horticulture educator. "Following the recognition, participants shared meaningful garden-related photos and provided a year's highlight. Fueled with a passion to garden, Extension Master Gardeners' zest for learning and desire to help others while volunteering spans across generations, communities and lifetimes."
To learn more about the program, contact Krans at kransr@msu.edu.