For 25 years, Master Gardener volunteers have beautified Mississippi community landscapes. To honor this milestone, the Mississippi State University Extension Service is hosting celebrations across the state.
On August 22, the MSU Extension office in Calhoun County observed the quarter-century of service invested by local Master Gardeners with a silver jubilee, complete with refreshments.
“Master Gardeners receive 40 hours of training and then give 40 hours of volunteer service to their communities,” said Lelia Kelly, Extension horticulture specialist and statewide Master Gardener coordinator. “They have an incredible impact on their communities, whether they are answering questions about gardening or contributing their time to local beautification projects.”
In 2015, Mississippi Master Gardener volunteers donated 64,000 hours of time for an estimated $1.4 million value. In 2015 alone, they contacted 1.3 million individuals. Locally, the Calhoun county Master Gardeners stay active year-round.
“Being a Master Gardener is so satisfying and so rewarding. The sharing and companionship with others is the most important part of the program,” said Betty Holland, Calhoun County Master Gardener.
“Our Master Gardeners are always willing to provide floral arrangements for meetings, assist with any questions that might come in, and they also provide the community with lovely flowers for everyone to enjoy like the roses in front of the Calhoun City Post Office,” said Stephanie Hitt, MSU Extension Program Assistant.
For more information about the Master Gardener program, go to http://extension.msstate.edu or call 662-412-3177 at the Calhoun County Extension office.
Front, Fran Russell, Gayle Stafford, Sheila, Freely, Linda Wright, Betty Holland, Laura Baker and Gerry Hood; back Carolyn Jones, Betty Dismuke, Linda Doler, and guest Geraldine Clark. Not pictured, Betty Hardin. Photo by Stephanie Hitt