Mercer County Master Gardeners received Awards for Excellence at the Rutgers Master Gardeners Association of New Jersey Annual Fall Conference held in October. This year the Mercer Master Gardeners recognized Hopewell resident Janet Sheppard with an Individual Award and The Master Gardener Presidents were recognized with a Team Award.
This award is given annually in recognition of the contributions and service of volunteer members who trained and are certified under the Rutgers University Master Gardener Program. Award for Excellence winners provide a high degree of service to their communities. In addition they have generously contributed their expertise, professionalism and leadership to the Master Gardener Program throughout their years of membership.
Janet Sheppard has been a Master Gardener since 2008 and has been most dedicated to the education of children. Starting at a local school, Sheppard was instrumental in teaching children about the love of growing vegetables. She even created a book about the children and their projects. She has been involved with many Master Gardener educational programs including, camps, lectures and storybook reading a local libraries.
The Team Award was presented to past and present, active and inactive, Presidents of the Mercer Master Gardener organization. Since its inception over 20 years ago, the Master Gardener program has been led individually by a group who have chosen to take on many roles in the functioning of the Mercer Master Gardener program, especially in a leadership role. The past and present active Presidents recognized are Greenie Neuburg, Bob Robinson, Nora Sirbaugh, Kathy Enquist, Carol Bencivengo, Marie Rickman, Catherine Horgan and Ann Calder. Inactive past Presidents are Collette Menasian, Pat Begel, Nancy Johnston, Evy Roberts, Carole Armel and Joanne Meehan.
The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, a volunteer educational outreach program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, is located at 930 Spruce Street in Lawrence. Master Gardeners participate in many volunteer programs throughout the county, as well as answer home horticulture questions through their Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline, (609) 989-6853, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (March through October) and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (November through February). For more information on our educational programs and events or other Extension educational programs, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension at (609) 989-6830 or visit the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County website at mgofmc.org.
Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experimental Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, (732) 932-5000, ext. 584.
Rutgers Master Gardeners, have recently received Awards for Excellence at the Rutgers Master Gardeners Association of New Jersey Annual Fall Conference. Pictured with Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist (far right) are (from front left) Janet Sheppard (Hopewell Township); Greenie Neuberg (Princeton); Carol Bencivengo (Hamilton); rear left to right: Ann Calder (West Windsor); Nora Sirbaugh (Pennington); Bob Robinson (Princeton); Kathy Enquist (Princeton) and Catherine Horgan (Yardley, PA).,
