On Sept. 8, two local Master Gardeners achieved the Outstanding Master Gardener Award. Leah Patapack, Oregon and Randy Calvert, Stillman Valley received the prestigious award at the Illinois Master Gardener Conference held in Normal, Illinois.
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OGLE COUNTY — Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who build and enhance their community through gardening. In 2016, Illinois had 2,834 active members, 470 people completed the 60 hours of internship training. Of the 102 counties in Illinois 76 have Master Gardener programs.
On Sept. 8, two local Master Gardeners achieved the Outstanding Master Gardener Award. Leah Patapack, Oregon and Randy Calvert, Stillman Valley received the prestigious award at the Illinois Master Gardener Conference held in Normal, Illinois. Only 36 individuals received this award throughout the state of Illinois.
To be considered to receive the Outstanding Master Gardener award a Master Gardener must go above and beyond in his/her volunteer leadership roles, exhibit qualities of a good leader, identify needs and generate new educational project ideas, enhance service to the public, collaborations, actively sought out continuing education opportunities, find ways to share their knowledge.
Patapack, completed her Master Gardener training in 2011 and has given 520 volunteer service hours beyond the 60 hour internship she also completed 85 continuing education hours.
Leah is a great listener and gives a smart response to the question or conversation. She is excellent at directing people and keeping them on task with a kind and patient approach.
She is well organized and has the necessary materials for various projects. If she does not have specific materials, she will create them. For example, in the Jr. Master Gardener programs we offered a “Growing UP” garden. She created a very unique trellis that will help to inspire the participants to ask questions and think outside of the “box.” Patapack is a friendly and familiar face to the JMG participants. She excels at connecting the participants with the program. She is engaging, light-hearted and structured. She easily gains the trust of the youth, which encourages their capacity to learn and be excited to watch plants grow.