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The Berkeley-Jefferson Extension Master Gardener Association held its annual Harvest Luncheon last Saturday at the Hospice of the Panhandle. “The luncheon is an opportunity to recognize the Master Gardeners and interns for all they’ve accomplished this year and to announce our Master Gardeners of the Year,” said Marilyn White, incoming president. This past year, the group volunteered 3,476 service hours to their communities.
They promoted home-based agriculture through their Spring and Fall Grow With Us workshops. From their annual plant sale, they raised funds to provide an agricultural scholarship to a student at Shepherd University and to support Tabler Farm, the Ranson Community Gardens and the Rain Garden at the Judicial Center in Martinsburg. In addition, they supported a new community venture — Shepherdstown Bee City USA, which provides a framework to conserve native pollinators.
As she announced the two 2024 Master Gardeners of the Year, Audra Weisenberger, Awards Committee chair, explained that the two winners were noted for their long-standing dedication and volunteer service to the organization. They are Susan Belmont, Jefferson County, and Doug Raines, Berkeley County. Then, the newest class of certified Master Gardeners was announced.
This group has completed 54 hours of education, passed a test and amassed 40 hours of volunteer service, they are: Paul Belmont, Heather Crosby, Carol Culvyhouse, Jerry Eppinga, Pat Grinnan, Helen McProuty, Elaine Polinski, Christy Stadig, Filomena Stucker, Michelle Villanueva and Ed Wheeless. Special Speaker Jane Gamble wowed the group with her pictures and stories of how she and her husband converted their blah, typical urban landscape in Alexandria, Virginia, into a lush garden that was recognized in a Washington Post article. All left the luncheon with ideas of what more to do with their own landscape and with an energy to do even more for their communities in 2025.
For more information on WVU Extension and its programs, visit extension.wvu.edu .
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