Master Gardeners Graduates 26 New Members

Applications for 2012 course now available; deadline to enroll is Jan. 2 (Link to more info)

COLTS NECK, NJ – Twenty-six Monmouth County residents became certified Master Gardeners at a graduation ceremony Nov. 18 at Hominy Hill Golf Center.

The 2011 graduates are: Fran Ambio, Millstone; Lou Ambio, Millstone; John Connors, Ocean; Lucille Coviello, Spring Lake Heights; Kristen (K) Dasenbrock, Marlboro; Lee Deedmeyer, Freehold; Frank DiBella, Howell; Luba Durnya, Middletown; Pat Eisemann, Manalapan; Denise Fredericks, Tinton Falls; Carolyn Giovanniello, Marlboro; Cheryl Grant, Rumson; Barb Hindin, Colts Neck; Linda Honymar, Long Branch; Alka Lothe, Little Silver; Jennifer Marston, Atlantic Highlands; Jill Niehaus, Shrewsbury; Paula Padavano, Long Branch; Luisa Paster, Asbury Park; Maureen Puricelli, Morganville; Barbara Schinkel, Eatontown; Jackie Sharpe, Asbury Park; Cyndi Skove, Eatontown; Greg Sturgis, Freehold; Maria Veit, Cream Ridge, and Brenda Wilson, Aberdeen.

The Master Gardeners are now certified gardening experts because they have completed a course of classroom and hands-on training in plant biology, propagation, soil science and disease and pest control. The trainees then began sharing their knowledge with others by conducting garden lectures, demonstrations, school and community gardening projects, and answering calls on the county’s “horticulture helpline.”

The Master Gardener program, conducted throughout the United States and Canada, is a two-part educational effort in which avid gardeners are provided many hours of intense home horticulture training. In return, they “pay back” local university extension agents through volunteerism.

In New Jersey, the program is a cooperative effort of Rutgers University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the county Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Monmouth County’s program involves the county office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Brookdale Community College and the county Park System.

The program is accepting applications for 2012. There is a $250 fee to cover material and program costs. Applications can be downloaded from the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com and are also available from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service at 4000 Kozloski Rd. in Freehold Township, or by calling 732-431-7260.  The deadline to apply is Jan. 2, 2012.

Link to full press release: Atlanta Highlands Herald