Source: Brittnay Haag
Extension Educator-Horticulture
University of Illinois Extension
Serving Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties
(309) 663-8306 • bhaag@illinois.edu

EUREKA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension congratulates Woodford County Master Gardener, Mary Niemi, on receiving a state award at the Illinois Master Gardener Conference in East Moline on September 6.

Mary Niemi was recognized as a 2019 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 exceed in leadership, determination, positivity, initiative, and be highly involved in the program.

Mary Niemi has been an active participant and leader in the Woodford County Master Gardener Program since 2011. She especially enjoys gardening activities that involve youth. She also enjoys sharing her lifelong knowledge of gardening with others by speaking at gardening events such as McLean County’s Home, Lawn and Garden Day and Woodford County’s Gardeners’ Gathering.