Judy Pfister of Hillsborough received the Master Gardener Award of Excellence at the Rutgers University Somerset County Master Gardener program’s annual volunteer recognition luncheon on April 13.
The Master Gardener of the Year was Marsha Longshore of Bound Brook.
The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County are accepting applications for fall. Classes will be held once a week on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from September to March at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater.
Residents with an interest in gardening and a commitment to volunteer service can become a Rutgers Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required. Call 908-526-6293 or pick up an application packet at the Milltown Road office. The deadline to return the applications is June 1.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers Cooperative Extension in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information to county residents. These programs include a phone-in/walk-in help service to answer garden questions, primers for establishing and maintaining community and individual gardens, a Seeds to Salad course for elementary schools, instruction for differently abled gardeners and more.
Master Gardeners receive training in horticulture from Rutgers University faculty and professional staff. Some topics include plant biology, propagation, soil science, disease and pest identification and control, and gardening and environmental principles. Successful graduates of the extensive curriculum become Certified Master Gardeners after they complete their required volunteer service hours.
