Twenty-four Monmouth County residents became certified Master Gardeners at a graduation ceremony held Nov. 12 at Hominy Hill Golf Center, Colts Neck.
“These graduates from the Monmouth County Master Gardeners program embody expertise in all things related to gardening and community service in Monmouth County,” Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said at graduation. “Their efforts are built on a solid foundation of the 10 classes before them, and this class dug a little deeper to make Monmouth County
more beautiful and a bit more green.”
The 2009 graduates are: Jerrilyn Bean, Matawan; Janice Beeby, Eatontown; Carol Farber, Freehold; Cliff Fishman, Rumson; Jennifer Freeman, Eatontown; Terri Gildea, Elberon; Pat Halligan, Manalapan; George Hemsey, Howell; Erika Hogan, Neptune; Isabelle Koren, Howell; Marvin Koren, Howell; Kristina Latimer, Shrewsbury; Joanne Murtie, Neptune; Dawn Nahory, Lincroft; Karen Poline, Freehold; Danny Robertson, Aberdeen; Jean Saba, Rumson; Sumati Shah, Freehold; Bill Silverman, Morganville; Mario Silvestre, Oceanport; Susan Smith, Manasquan; Vicki Stoeckel, Atlantic Highlands; Gayle Williams, Long Branch; and Mimi Wise, Colts Neck.
According to a press release, these Master Gardeners became experts by completing a course of classroom and handson training in plant biology, propagation, soil science and disease and pest control. The trainees then began sharing their knowledge with others by conducting garden lectures, demonstrations, school and community gardening projects, and answering calls on the county’s “horticulture helpline.”
“This 11th Master Gardeners class has been working with the best in the horticultural field – Rutgers University faculty and Cooperative Extension Service professional staff while completing their outreach efforts,” said Rich Obal, Agricultural and Research Agent for Monmouth County’s Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service Office.
Eleven new graduates won awards for 100 hours of service: Janice Beeby, Carol Farber, Cliff Fishman, George Hemsey, Erika Hogan, Joanne Murtie, Danny Robertson, Jean Saba, Bill Silverman, Vicki Stoeckel and Gayle Williams.
In addition, 10 veteran Master Gardeners also earned 100-hour milestone awards: Betty Bullivant, Tinton Falls; Mary Collins, Clarksburg; Mary Anne Coogan, Lincroft; Paul Crescente, Lincroft; Barbara Drescher, Tinton Falls; Marina Kerber, Elberon; Maria Maldonado, Middletown; Shirley Rozansky, Cream Ridge; Brooke Sherman, Freehold; and Bruce Siegell, Shrewsbury.
For 250 hours of service, 12 Master Gardeners received recognition: Semmes Brightman, Shrewsbury; Nancy Carew, Keyport; Ray Chiste, Allentown; Susie Eckardt, Highlands; Carolyn Heuser, Freehold; Melissa Kelly, West Long Branch; Bonnie Marsh, Red Bank; Peter McIntyre, Matawan; John Moran, Manalapan; Peggy Stricker, Freehold; Pia Videtti, Howell; and Joe Videtti, Howell.
For 500 hours of service, 13 veteran Master Gardeners won awards: Peggy Beck; Michelle Blank, Freehold; Nancy Carew, Keyport; Susie Eckardt, Highlands; Pasha Ellis, Marlboro; Sue Malmi, Red Bank; Marsha Montgomery, Englishtown; Ellen Simonetti, Morganville; Eleanor Hallstrom, Freehold; Anne Kolshorn, Matawan; Loretta Normand, Freehold; Cathy Rupner, Freehold; and Susie Zientek, Farmingdale.
Lifetime awards for 1,000 hours of service were conferred upon five veteran Master Gardeners: Linda Bauer, Ocean Grove; Howard Bodner, Lincroft; Gloria Gross, Lincroft; Jeanne Patterson, Freehold; and Egle Tschinkel, Holmdel.
Two Master Gardeners achieved l,500 service hours honors: Bernie Dickman, Middletown. and Jeanne Lynch, Howell.
Lifetime achievement for 2,000 hours were bestowed on Joan Enright, Sea Girt; Jim Farmer, Belmar; Gail Fritsch, Millstone; Jim Laude, Lincroft; and Nancy Schmaltz, Shrewsbury.
Honors for 3,000 hours went to Sandy Wolfe, Howell, and honors for 4,000 hours went to Evelin Gaffney, Rumson, and Irene Wanat, Rumson.
The Master Gardeners program, conducted throughout the United States and Canada, is a two-part educational effort in which avid gardeners are provided many hours of home horticulture training. In return, they “pay back” local university extension agents through volunteerism.
In New Jersey, the program is a cooperative effort of Rutgers University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the county boards of freeholders. Monmouth County’s program involves the county office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Park System.
The program is accepting applications for 2010. There is a $250 fee to cover material and program costs. Applications can be downloaded from www.visitmonmouth. com and are also available from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service at 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, or by calling 732-431-7260. The deadline to apply is Jan. 4, 2010.