Thanks to Huron County Master Gardeners

Thanks to Master Gardeners in Huron County for their contribution to our world. Members have donated more than 3,028 hours to this area in 2021 for a value of over $86,419, based on an estimated $28.54 for volunteer time in Ohio. Since 1998, members have donated more than 67,996 hours for a value of $1,940,606. Using Master Gardener State Initiatives: Ohioans for Vibrant Communities, Job Skills and Career, Sustainable Food Systems and Thriving Across the Life Span, as guidelines for programing, members have taught classes, helped with local landscaping, provided training, shared plants and ideas with our community. Huron County Master Gardeners met recently to honor their own. Milestones for members were: • 20 years of service — Cathy Seamans, class of 2001. • Ten years of service — Mary Beth Dunham, Jan Gose, Susan Long, Vicki Nutter, Carol Phillips, Cathe Ritz, class of 2011. The ten-year awards were stone plaques, marked with Master Gardener, Ohio State University Extension Volunteer, to be displayed in volunteers' gardens. • Five-year adwards went to Cindy Capelle, Julie Jarrett, Peg Jarrett, Donna Urbansky and Russ White, class of 2016. • Donating more than 100 hours in 2021 were Shannon Ditz, 276; Bob Beck, 167; Russ White, 163; Jan Phillips, 132; Sue Long, 130; Peggy Case, 120; Cathy Weber, 115; and Carol Phillips, 110. • More than 50-hour awards went to Pat Sturges, 86; Judy Emmons, 85; Barb Roberts, 85; Charlene Margetiak, 82; Joan Taylor, 82; Rex Stanforth, 76; Mary Margaret Schwarzentraub, 75; Karen Hart, 70; Reta Stark, 70; Laural Rehnborg, 68; Carol Harpst, 65; Donna Allen, 63; Mary Beth Dunham, 63; Vicki Nutter, 63; Phyllis Zeiber, 57; Berbadette Ferguson, 54; Julie Jarrett, 54; Nancy Weisenberger, 52; and Jan Gose, 50. • Members who have been a part of Master Gardeners for many years and have accumulated more than 2,000 hours are: Mary Margaret Schwarzentraub, 3,142; Peggy Case, 2,942; Charlene Margetiak, 2,641; Judy Emmons, 2,212; Bob Beck, 2,120; and Shannon Ditz, 2,110. Many others are gaining. Those who would like to join Master Gardeners can go to the county extension office and ask for an application or call 419-668-9466 or visit the website, http://huron.osu.edu. Peggy Case is a Huron County Master Gardener, Ohio Association of Garden Clubs (OAGC) floral judge and instructor, OAGC board member and local apple grower. She can answer questions if sent to sunyacres1962@gmail.com.