CRESTVIEW — The 16th Annual Okaloosa County Master Gardener Awards honored volunteers who provide free garden and yard advice to Northwest Florida residents.
Master Gardeners undergo a roughly seven-month training and internship program to earn their title. Volunteer work at the Gerald Edmondson County Extension Building on Airport Road in Crestview and at the Master Gardeners' Fort Walton Beach nursery is required.
These experts do much more than help people grow flowers. Their public services include:
●Identifying insects, reptiles and other wildlife
●Assisting residents with home horticultural concerns
●Promoting Florida-friendly gardening and landscaping using native species
●Analyzing soil
●Identifying fungi and invasive pests
●Staffing the County Extension telephones and laboratory
●Advising 4-H programs
The University of Florida’s Okaloosa County extension staffers recognized Master Gardeners’ efforts during Wednesday’s luncheon in Crestview.
2017 officers include Karen Kirk-Williams, president; Dave Gordon, president-elect; Scott Berry, secretary; Joe Jones, treasurer; and Alene Ogle, past president.
Contact the University of Florida Okaloosa County Extension, 689-5850, http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu, or visit the Gerald Edmondson Extension Building, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview, for membership information.
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Editor's Note: A photograph on this page previously stated Margaret Stewart achieved 9,000 community service hours. She actually achieved 5,000 so far.
10-year recognition (2004-2014)
- Dave Gordon
- Dick Hickenbotham
- Joan Langham
- Carol Moody
- Amy Jo Rosati
10-year recognition (2006-2016)
- Carol Baker
- Bob Bayer
- Matt Donavin
- Dorothy Green
- Linda Kulaw
- Jim Martin
- Jane Montgomery
- Ann Phillips
15-year recognition (1999-2014)
- Andy Donatelli
- Honey Jennings
- Bob Thomas
- Ed Fabian
- Lynn Fabian
20-year recognition (1996-2016)
- Rick Hastings
- Laurie Mackey
500-hour recognition
- Les Chambers
- Mary Grace Evors
- Marilyn Koser
- Linda Kulaw
- Alene Ogle
- Lynda Penry
1,000-hour recognition
- John Bauer
- Joe Michetti
- Ann Phillips
2,000-hour recognition
Karen Kirk-Williams
4,000-hour recognition
Lynn Fabian
5,000-hour recognition
Margaret Stewart
9,000-hour recognition
Andy Donatelli
2016 Outstanding Service to Youth Award
Lynda Penry
2016 Outstanding Telephone Communicator
Margaret Stewart
2016 Outstanding Educator of the Year
Dave Gordon
2016 Community Outreach Award
Mary Grace Evors
2016 Master Gardener of the Year
Alene Ogle
2016 Rookie of the Year
John Sweda
2016 Friend of the Master Gardener Award
Joe Donatelli
2016 Hospitality Award
- Donna Edmiston
- Ed Fabian
- Lynn Fabian
- Sandie Olsen
- Ann Phillips
- Carol Rose
- Margaret Stewart
AWARD RECIPIENTS
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Master Gardeners honored