Master gardeners honored by Extension at awards luncheon

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension honored the Las Vegas master gardeners at the annual Volunteer Appreciation luncheon recently.

During 2010, 303 master gardeners of Southern Nevada contributed 38,104 volunteer hours working on more than 30 community projects across the valley. The value of this volunteer contribution is $794,468.

Regina Jewell received the highest award, the Silver Trowel, for donating the most number of hours. She amassed 820 volunteer hours in 2010. Her primary project was the master gardener orchard in North Las Vegas where she is a regular on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Silver Star master gardeners volunteered more than 350 hours. Honorees were Kimberly Williams, 499 hours; Henry Malen, 463 hours; Yutaka Nomura, 419 hours; Tom Grimm, 415 hours; Buzz Wadsworth, 393 hours; Nancy Grimm, 392 hours; Helen Brown, 379 hours; Jean Engelmann, 378 hours; and Judith Kafantaris, 352 hours.

The Silver Phone award for volunteering the most number of hours on the group's home gardening help line went to Al Valdez. Valdez staffs the help line every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., donating 144 hours over 48 shifts. The help line (702-257-5555) answered 3,863 phone calls and 381 emails last year.

In addition, Helpline Honor Roll certificates were presented to Jean Engelmann, 38 shifts, 115 hours; Kathy Fournier, 38 shifts, 113 hours; and Judith Kafantaris, 38 shifts, 113 hours.

Three master gardeners received 10-year service pins. Those honored were Erin Beesley, Phyllis Bender and Margaret (Peg) Cornett.

The Exceptional Service award salutes long-term leadership and dedication to master gardener projects. It was awarded to 12 master gardeners who have served as a project chairperson for five years or more. Those honored were Barb McGibbon, Acacia Park; Don Fabbi, Doolittle Senior Center community garden; Jane Gillespie, home gardening help line; Pat Westlund, Lieburn Senior Center community garden; Mary Rider, Mojave guides, Springs Preserve; Joy Mandekic, Nathan Adelson Hospice healing garden; Jim Stone, orchard; Clara Hatz, PLANT (Project for Landscape and Natural Tranquility); Vicki Yuen, propagation/watering, Springs Preserve; Peg Cornett, propagation/watering, Springs Preserve; and Mary Lawton, Winchester Park.

A new category, the All-Stars, honors those who have consistently exceeded the 50 required volunteer hours each year. They were recognized for their dedication to the gardening help line and community projects. The All-Stars are Richard Cutbirth, Don Fabbi, Jane Gillespie, Richard Leifried and Cliff Wood.

The master gardener program is open to all individuals who accept the training and volunteer commitment. Master gardeners are required to complete 80 hours of horticultural training offered by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. They share their knowledge and desert gardening skills through the gardening help line, presentations, information booths and community projects.

Master gardeners are experienced in successfully growing plants in the Mojave Desert, one of the hottest, driest and coldest of the North American deserts. This is an environment unfamiliar to many newcomers. By teaching what to plant and how to properly care for their landscapes or gardens, master gardeners save people money on water, soil amendments and plant materials. For further information, contact Antoinette Edmunds, program coordinator, edmundsa@unce.unr.edu or 702-257-5587.