DECATUR, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener volunteers share a mission: “help others learn to grow.” Through educational programs and events, these volunteers inspire people of all ages to develop gardening skills, explore the natural world, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation of nature.
Six Macon County Master Gardeners were recently recognized for their outstanding efforts with a state award presented at the annual Illinois Master Gardener Conference.
Toni Griffin, Angie Hollingsworth, Carla Pohl, Karen Tappendorf, Angie Wetzel, and Sandi Williams received a State Master Gardener Teamwork Award for Willy’s Garden Week, an educational program held at the Decatur Public Library. Willy’s Garden Week is designed for youth ages 4 to 10. The program fosters curiosity, encourages environmental stewardship, and inspires youth to connect with the natural world through hands-on learning experiences.
“These six volunteers are so deserving of this award, not just for what each brings individually, but how well they work together,” says Horticulture Program Coordinator Whitney Allison. “They encourage one another, share the workload, and strengthen our program. I am so proud to see their hard work recognized at the state level.”
The State Master Gardener Teamwork Award recognizes group projects that demonstrate impact and innovation and are replicable across Illinois communities. Their recognition highlights the success of Willy’s Garden Week in engaging youth learners and creating meaningful opportunities to explore gardening and nature.
SOURCE: Whitney Allison, Horticulture Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.