BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension congratulates the following McLean County Master Gardeners for receiving state awards from the Illinois Master Gardener program. The award winners were recognized at the Illinois Master Gardener Conference and awards ceremony on Friday, September 13 in Champaign-Urbana.
Anna Lee Fenger, Cindy Langrall, and Sally Whaley were recognized as 2024 Outstanding Master Gardeners in Illinois. The Outstanding Master Gardener State Award was established to honor the best of Illinois Master Gardeners. Only the top 2% of Illinois State Master Gardeners win this award annually. They must excel in leadership, determination, positivity, and initiative, and be highly involved in the program.
Anna Lee Fenger, class of 2019, has immersed herself in the care and sustainability of Sarah’s Garden, a historical garden dating back to 1852. Beyond the care of the 73 species of plants in the garden, 22 of which are identified as originals dating back to the original garden, she has worked tirelessly to ensure the sustainability of the garden through a Reserve Program and a seed-gathering process.
Cindy Langrall, class of 2019, is co-leading a joint project with the Master Naturalists at the Monarch Waystation and Habitat Stewardship Initiative at the Illinois Art Station in Normal. She volunteers regularly at farmers' market booths and the office Help Desk. Additionally, she is the Home, Lawn, and Garden Day chair for 2025. She is known for her proactive attitude, collaborative spirit, and ability to inspire others.
Sally Whaley, class of 2015, shares her talents with many of the McLean County projects, including the Extension pollinator garden, ISU Horticulture Center Herb Garden, and chairing Home, Lawn, and Garden Day in 2023. Sally loves all things gardening and enjoys sharing her knowledge with other Master Gardeners, 4-H youth, and the community.
Jo Devore received the Sustained Excellence Award, created to honor Illinois Master Gardeners who previously received the Outstanding Award and have continued demonstrating excellence in the program. Jo became a Master Gardener in 2015, earned the Outstanding Master Gardener Award in 2019 for her amazing work, and has continued to be a dedicated and valued volunteer. Jo is a committed and enthusiastic Master Gardener. Through her leadership, she has helped to develop and sustain two large garden projects: Holton Homes and the Herb Garden at the ISU Horticulture Center. Jo lends a helping hand wherever she is needed and is an inspiration to newer Master Gardeners.
The Monarch Waystation and Habitat Stewardship Initiative at the Illinois Art Station project received the Master Gardener Teamwork Award, which was established to honor projects that have made a difference in the community or Extension unit. The group of Master Gardeners demonstrated a focused team approach, innovation, and improving an existing project to serve their community. The McLean County Master Gardeners who are part of this team include Cindy Langrall, Cathy McFadin, Don Mullins, Sue Mullins, Mary O’Brian, Paul Sellmyer, and John Tretter, along with Master Naturalists Susan Kossman, Marilyn Freese, Ellen MacCannell Morgan, and Melissa Wilson. The project involves planting large native and pollinator species to support monarchs and other pollinators, creating a beautiful area for the community, and providing educational opportunities for visitors. The project is “helping others learn to grow” through volunteer activities and artistic, science-based educational programs at the center.
Congratulations to all the recipients for a job well done! If you see the McLean County Master Gardeners gardening or teaching in your community, be sure to thank them for their outstanding efforts in improving the community and helping others learn to grow.
For more information about the McLean County Master Gardener program, visit us at go.illinois.edu/LMW_MG or contact the McLean County Extension Office at (309) 663- 8306.
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.