Sustained Excellence Award

Ed Kuchta has been a Master Gardener since 2014 and received the State Outstanding Master Gardener Award in 2018. Ed has served over 325 volunteer hours and earned just over 62 continuing education hours. Ed works the ‘Ask the Master Gardener Help Desk’ where he is a mentor for fellow MGs, serves as a team lead for Soil Test Interpretation Team where he developed and led soil interpretation workshops, delivers presentations for the MG Speaker’s Bureau program, partners with local garden vendors on special events and educates youth on worm composting.

Master Gardener Ed Kuchta excels at educating the public as well as fellow Master Gardeners.    Ed's vision on how to improve and enhance a program, coupled with his care and attention to detail ensure a quality Speakers Bureau presentation, youth program, special event, and training workshop will run smoothly, contain valuable information, and engage all who attend.

Ed is always ready to help mentor and confer with fellow Master Gardeners and promotes a team spirit to tackle complicated queries from the public. Ed is approachable, ready to listen, and will work with new MGs as much as needed to feel comfortable and prepared to answer questions and deliver programming. Ed also highlights the importance of communication skills for new Master Gardeners working with the public.

To learn more about the Master Gardener training and volunteer certification program please contact Margaret Burns-Westmeyer, at mburnswe@illinois.edu