Forty-nine Master Gardeners were recognized recently for providing volunteer service to their local communities. Nine completed their Master Gardener certification by donating at least 30 hours. Another 40 maintained their certification by donating at least 20 hours during the past year.

Completing their Master Gardener certification were Conrad Feather and Glenda Head, Carthage; Jason Kahl, Webb City; Denise Lambert, Rita McClary, Dorothy Steele, Laura Dolan Teverow, and Charlene Wellman, Joplin; and Pat Middleton, Grove.

Maintaining their certification were Mel Anderson, Mary Bethel, Glenita Browning, Beulah Courter, Gene Curry, Conrad Feather, Tommy Freeman, Peggy Kessinger, Pat Laney, Dennis Neil, Bev and Kerry Sturgis, and Pat Wakefield, Carthage; Charles Bentlage, Patty Compton, Betty Harris, Nancy Henley, Lou Anne Herron, Shirley Hull, Denise Lambert, Dale Mermoud, Danny Read, Lindsey Reynolds, Lee Rodriguez, Lee Watson, Ron Wood, Marilyn Wylie, and Kathy Yeager, Joplin; Susie Cook, Debbie Fedie, Carole Hayes, Betty Houser, and Edie Sullivan, Carl Junction; Gary and Judy Davis, Purdy; Chuck Evans and Patty Poirot, Miller; Diane and Richard Volk, Duenweg; and Doris House, Loma Linda.

A Master Gardener who has been an active Master Gardener for a total of 10 years will be granted Emeritus status upon request to the local program coordinator, regional coordinator or to the state coordinator. Receiving Emeritus status in 2010 were Glenita Browning and Benita Shields, Carthage and Judy Davis, Purdy.

The following specials awards were presented: Rookie of the Year, Laura Dolan Teverow, Joplin; Community Service Award, Debbie Fedie, Carl Junction; Coordinators Service Award, Edie Sullivan, Carl Junction; Volunteer of the Year Award, Lou Anne Herron, Joplin; and 1,000 Hour Lifetime Achievement Award, Lou Anne Herron and Dale Mermoud, Joplin.

The Master Gardener program begins with approximately 30 hours of classroom instruction. At the end of the training program, the participants are asked to donate a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service in their communities within the following year. To maintain the certification, they are asked to give at least 20 hours of service per year, plus receive an additional six hours of continuing education. During 2010, local Master Gardeners donated 3,106 hours resulting in over 33,700 contacts.

For more information about the program, contact the Jasper County University of Missouri Extension Center in Carthage at (417) 358-2158.

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