Macon County Master Gardeners receive state award

DECATUR — University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener volunteers share a mission: “help others learn to grow.” Through educational programs and events, these volunteers inspire people of all ages to develop gardening skills, explore the natural world, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation of nature.

Six Macon County Master Gardeners would recently earn recognition for their outstanding efforts with a state award presented at the annual Illinois Master Gardener Conference in Rockford.

Toni Griffin, Angie Hollingsworth, Carla Pohl, Karen Tappendorf, Angie Wetzel, and Sandi Williams received a State Master Gardener Teamwork Award for Willy’s Garden Week, an educational program held at the Decatur Public Library.

Willy’s Garden Week is a program for youth ages 4 to 10. The program fosters curiosity, encourages environmental stewardship, and inspires youth to connect with the natural world through hands-on learning experiences.

“These six volunteers are so deserving of this award. Not just for what each brings individually, but how well they work together,” says Horticulture Program Coordinator Whitney Allison. “They encourage one another, share the workload, and strengthen our program. I am so proud to see their hard work recognized at the state level.”

The State Master Gardener Teamwork Award recognizes group projects that demonstrate impact and innovation and are replicable across Illinois communities. Their recognition highlights the success of Willy’s Garden Week in engaging youth learners and creating meaningful opportunities to explore gardening and nature.

Maria Lightner, University of Illinois Extension

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Maria Lightner is the marketing and communications program coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension. She currently serves the area covering DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties.

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