On Monday, November 16, 2009, Fayette County Master Gardener Volunteers celebrated a successful year by taking off their gardening hats and gathering together for a recognition banquet.  It was an honor to host State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator Pamela Bennett as the keynote speaker. She thanked volunteers for their valuable contributions and inspired them to continue learning.  She revealed that an hour of volunteer time in 2008 has a value of $20.25.  This year Fayette County MGVs volunteered over 1042 hours with 39 active members.  According to Bennett this is a $21,100 value to the community.

The Master Gardeners of Clark County held their annual Recognition Celebration on November 2 in Springfield, Ohio.  More than 100 people were in attendance as well as special guests including County Commissioner John Detrick, Springfield City Commissioners Dan Martin and Karen Duncan as well as spouses and guests of the volunteers.  The 101 MGVs of Clark County contributed 10,132 hours of service to the community; the value of their volunteer time is equivalent to $208,818.00. Natheta Mercer received the highest honor for the Clark County MGVs, the James Looney Memorial Award.  A silent auction with items donated by the volunteers raised more than $800.00.  Clark County MGVs are one of the 72 county programs in Ohio. 

   Natheta Mercer MGV Clark County

First year Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson has a desire to teach life skills to the young people who pass through the Lake County Juvenile Detention facility.  Noticing the sun in a grassy area outside the dentention center basketball court, she made it known that she wanted to put a vegetable garden in its place.   The Lake County Master Gardener program set out to assist.  The Detention Center is literally next door to the Lake County Extension office which lead to a perfect partenership. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener volunteers were honored recently for their hard work and dedication in educating Ohioans about horticulture and spreading a love for gardening through activities and programs.

The Master Gardener Volunteer State Conference and Master Gardener Volunteer Awards and Dinner Program was recently held in Mason, Ohio, with over 150 Master Gardener volunteers attending the awards program, and over 200 attending the conference.

Volunteers and Master Gardener Volunteer programs from across Ohio were recognized during the program. Dan Poast, Miami County Volunteer, received the OSUE Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer award.  "These award winners are a small sample of the shining stars in the Master Gardener volunteer program. Volunteers from all over the state are working to better the quality of life in their community and are succeeding," said Pam Bennett, OSU Extension statewide Master Gardener volunteer coordinator. "They are educating citizens in best management practices as well as creating beautiful communities."