DECATUR, Ill. — Two area Master Gardener volunteers were recently recognized for their exceptional contributions to their communities. Lenda Munson of Decatur and Rosi McLeese of Monticello were awarded the prestigious Outstanding Master Gardener award at the State Master Gardener Conference on September 13 in Champaign.
Lenda Munson, a Master Gardener since 2009, has served on the Staley Garden and Gardening Insights committees and is currently Chair of the Macon County Master Gardeners. In 2013, Lenda transformed an overgrown garden at a local nursing facility into a therapeutic oasis for residents, their families, and staff. She opened the garden to the community in 2022, offering tours and education on the benefits of therapeutic horticulture. Munson also volunteers with the Decatur Daycare Garden and provides hands-on gardening programs to local schoolchildren.
Rosi McLeese, a Master Gardener since 2017, has been active with the DeWitt and Piatt Master Gardeners. She has served on the Kirby Wellness Trail Pollinator Pocket Garden and Gardeners’ Day leadership team. McLeese finished her term as Chair of the DeWitt and Piatt Master Gardeners this spring. In addition to volunteering at all Piatt County demonstration gardens, she helped establish “A Growing Community Series,” a free monthly gardening educational program for the public.
Both Munson and McLeese have demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, and a passion for gardening and community service. Their contributions have significantly impacted the lives of many people in their communities.
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.