DU QUOIN, Ill. –Don and Beverly Harsy are both recipients of this year's 2020 Outstanding Master Gardener Award. Fellow Master Gardeners nominated the Du Quoin residents for this recognition.

Master Gardeners are more than just gardening enthusiasts. They are trained horticultural experts who serve their communities through service projects and delivery of educational programs. The Harsys have been active Perry County Master Gardeners since 2008. In addition to helping maintain flower beds at Five Star Industries, Pinckneyville City Hall, and Pinckneyville High School, they help with many youth development activities related to horticulture and the environment.

The Harsys have helped lead youth programming through Club D.I.G.S. (Doing Interesting Garden Stuff), a 4-H special interest club for third and fourth-grade students. During the summer months, they have devoted their time volunteering with the 4-H Kids in the Park summer program at Pyramid State Park and the Helping Hands Farm Stand at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Fellow Master Gardeners describe the duo as being "systematic and methodical in their planning," noting that audiences appreciate the "how-to" emphasis the Harsys bring to their demonstrations. They were instrumental in establishing the Perry County Seed Library, a program that earned the group the Master Gardener Teamwork Award.

The Harsys also served as members of the Extension Council Board, a diverse group of representatives that serve in an advisory capacity to address and make recommendations on strategic planning and programming for the local community.

“We appreciate the great impact Don and Beverly continue to have in our community through their service to the Master Gardener program. This award is just one small way to recognize the great work that they do,” stated Horticulture Educator Austin Little.

The State Outstanding Master Gardener Award was established to honor the best of Illinois Master Gardeners, those whose breadth and depth of involvement in the program is exemplary. Only the top two percent of active Master Gardeners in the state are recognized with this award. In lieu of an in-person program, this year’s awardees will be recognized through a virtual ceremony on Friday, October 2.

University of Illinois Extension uses trained Master Gardener volunteers to meet the constant demand for horticultural consumer information by citizens of our state and region. The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is "Helping Others Learn to Grow." To learn more or to become a Master Gardener, visit: https://extension.illinois.edu/mg

WRITER: Heather Willis, marketing and communications coordinator, hdwillis@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126

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