University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Robbin Keenan, winner of the “State Outstanding Master Gardener” Award, poses with her Training Certificate in April, 2018.

On Thursday, August 27th, 2020, Master Gardener Volunteer Robbin Keenan of Ottawa, Illinois received a well-deserved University of Illinois Extension State Master Gardener Outstanding Award. Ms. Keenan was notified of the award which will be formally given to her during a virtual awards ceremony to be held on October 2nd, 2020. The Outstanding Master Gardener State Award was established to honor the best of Illinois Master Gardeners, those whose breadth and depth of involvement in the program is exemplary. Only 1-2% of active Master Gardeners in the state are recognized with this award annually. Each person awarded this achievement is an exceptional example to Master Gardeners within their unit, as well as others in the state.

Ms. Keenan has been an Illinois Master Gardener since 2018. Since completing the training program, she has volunteered over 550 hours of her time to communities within Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties. She is an outgoing volunteer who consistently brings fresh ideas for existing and new projects and educational outreach to the table. She does not hesitate to pitch in on various projects throughout the local area, and does not keep her volunteering just within LaSalle county. She is extremely reliable, and willingly takes on any tasks and challenges she sees and is asked to do. Her energy, loyalty and love of the Master Gardener Program and what it stands for makes her an Outstanding Master Gardener volunteer, truly deserving of this award. In her spare time, she loves using her Cricut to make beautiful crafts, and flying with her husband in their gyroplane.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program extends its appreciation for her many hours of outstanding service, and for the positive impacts she has had on her community and others across the state. Congratulations Robbin!

The Mission of the University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.    

For more information call or email  Meg Overocker, Extension Program Coordinator, at the LaSalle County Extension Office.