Monmouth County has 22 new Master Gardeners who have completed a course of classroom and hands-on training in plant biology, propagation, soil science, and disease and pest control.
The Master Gardener program, which is conducted throughout the United States and Canada, is a two-part educational effort in which avid gardeners are provided many hours of home horticulture training. In return, they “pay back” local university extension agents through volunteerism, according to a press release from the county.
In New Jersey, the program is a cooperative effort of Rutgers University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and county freeholders. Monmouth County’s program involves the county office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Park System.
Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry was on hand to congratulate each of the newly certified experts at their graduation ceremony held on Nov. 16 at the Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune.
“These men and women have truly dedicated themselves to learning all there is to know about gardening and are now out sharing that knowledge with their communities,” Burry said. “It never ceases to amaze me how selfless these Master Gardeners are with their time and expertise. I encourage anyone with gardening questions to take advantage of the lectures they offer and call the helpline they provide.”
After the classroom sessions, the participants share their knowledge with others by conducting garden lectures, demonstrations, school and community gardening projects, and answering calls on the county’s “horticulture helpline,” according to the press release.
Graduates of the 2017 program are: Cindy Allen, Red Bank; Barbara Brock, Sea Girt; Brian Cairns, Millstone Township; Sandy Carr, Howell; Bob Conkling, Manasquan; Cathy Gallagher, Wall Township; Valorie Iglay, Middletown; Angela Nina Juffey, Marlboro; Margaret Katz, Tinton Falls; John Myers, Freehold; Kennedy O’Brien, Neptune; Rita Pizarro-Giron, Long Branch; Penney Riegelman, Atlantic Highlands; Christopher Rolke, Eatontown; Tony Rosa, Monmouth Beach; Jane Sims, Marlboro; Tim Snyder, Manasquan; Butch Struszkiewicz, Hazlet; Sandy Van Sant, Monmouth Beach; Duffy Westhead, Monmouth Beach; Michael Winchell, Atlantic Highlands; and Jane Zysk, Holmdel.
