FREEPORT, Ill---Three Master Gardener volunteers from Stephenson County were recognized for their volunteer efforts at the State Master Gardener Conference held in Peoria, IL, on September 7 and 8. Mary Blair, Bernard Lischwe, and Deb Schwartz received the Outstanding State Master Gardener Award, recognizing their dedication to the volunteer program.

The Outstanding State Master Gardener Award was established to honor the best Master Gardener volunteers in Illinois. This award is presented to 2% of the membership annually. Award winners must have completed 160 hours of volunteer service, participated in multiple volunteer projects, collaborated with other volunteers and community organizations on projects, and exhibited leadership qualities.

Mary Blair trained as a Master Gardener in 2017. Mary contributes to the community in many ways beyond the Master Gardener program, and she brings this sense of community pride, involvement, and connectedness to the Master Gardener program. She contributes to the program in countless ways and is always one of the first to step up to help.

Bernard Lischwe has been a mainstay of the Master Gardener program since 2007. Always willing to help with a project or activity. He has been essential to the Master Gardener Helpline for several years, helping answer client calls. He is very involved in the community, and his connections help the Master Gardener program to develop new partnerships and projects.

Debbie Schwartz is very active in the community and serves on the board of the Freeport Park District. In her years of volunteering with the Master Gardener program, she has always enjoyed projects that connect her with people, like information tables where she can get out and talk with others about gardens. Her service with the park board has connected the Master Gardener program with the park district, positively impacting both.

“Mary, Bernard, and Deb combine their love of gardening and their heart for volunteering to impact their community positively,” stated Nikki Keltner, Program Coordinator. “They are all dedicated volunteers that embody the Master Gardener mission of helping others learn to grow.”

University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are volunteers who complete training on horticulture topics led by University of Illinois Extension Educators.  After completing training Master Gardeners volunteer in the community by offering educational programs, demonstration gardens, a horticulture helpline, newspaper articles, and more, completing their mission of “Helping Others Learn to Grow.”  If you want to become a Master Gardener, call the University of Illinois Extension at (815) 235-4125.