The Central Gorge Master Gardener class of 2023 includes Gemma Althoff, Jim Black, Carol Brown, Anne Debbaut, Donna DesRochers, Stephanie Gale-McKnight, Betsy Greer, Roni Hyde, Denise Ingebo, Grace Mekarski, Jennifer Munroe, Mike Naramore, Nick Peters, Sarah Smeby, Rowan Tanner, and Amanda Van Voorhees.
Joanne Willis was awarded the Behind the Scenes award for her long-standing role as Central Gorge Master Gardener Association treasurer in addition to serving as Project Leader of the Learning Garden.
Members of the Educational Writing Crew, Rachael Pirkowski, Gehrig and Jim Black, were presented with the Educational Outreach Award. Pictured, left to right, are Leanne Hogie, Anne Gehrig, Jim Black and Margo Dameier.
Kelsey Soltysiak was honored for her work in cataloging all of the Plant Clinic questions that Master Gardeners receive throughout the year and using this information to develop the “Tip of the Week” column for Master Gardener Social Media. Above, Leanne Hogie gives Soltysiak her award.
Mike Naramore, winner of the Golden Trowel Award. The Golden Trowel Award goes to an exceptional first year Master Gardener who is selected by the Central Gorge Master Gardener Outreach Program Coordinator Megan Wickersham.
The Central Gorge Master Gardener class of 2023 includes Gemma Althoff, Jim Black, Carol Brown, Anne Debbaut, Donna DesRochers, Stephanie Gale-McKnight, Betsy Greer, Roni Hyde, Denise Ingebo, Grace Mekarski, Jennifer Munroe, Mike Naramore, Nick Peters, Sarah Smeby, Rowan Tanner, and Amanda Van Voorhees.
HOOD RIVER — The Central Gorge Master Gardener Association held their annual Recognition Event Nov. 9 at Riverside Church to celebrate successes and present awards.
The Central Gorge Master Gardener 2023 season saw three new educational outreach programs begin. The Educational Writing Crew was formed to write articles for publication in the Columbia Gorge News Home & Garden section on timely topics for local gardeners, the Garden Gathering showcased the four community gardens maintained by Central Gorge Master Gardeners where tours and talks were given, and the Tomato & Pepper Tasting Plus + brought tomato and pepper fans to the FISH Food Bank garden to select fan favorite varieties while learning about worm composting and garden tool maintenance. The Learning Garden also saw the return of in person workshops in a post pandemic setting with the Raised Beds Workshop at the new raised beds demonstration area.
Master Gardener of the Year was presented to Anne Gehrig for her dedication to furthering the educational aspects of Central Gorge Master Gardeners.
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Master Gardener of the Year was presented to Anne Gehrig for her dedication to furthering the educational aspects of Central Gorge Master Gardeners, while Joanne Willis was awarded the Behind the Scenes award for her long standing role as Central Gorge Master Gardener Association treasurer in addition to serving as Project Leader of the Learning Garden. These awards were announced at the Oregon Master Gardener Association Joy of Gardening event in July with certificates awarded at the Recognition Event.
Joanne Willis was awarded the Behind the Scenes award for her long-standing role as Central Gorge Master Gardener Association treasurer in addition to serving as Project Leader of the Learning Garden.
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Central Gorge Master Gardener Association chapter awards were also presented by CGMGA president for 2023, Leanne Hogie, at the Recognition Event.
The Projects Award was given to Tracy Willet for her leadership of the FISH Food Bank Garden and volunteer base. Under her restructuring plan, the garden was allowed to evolve throughout the year, add composting and vermicomposting operations to the site, and incorporate diversity in the volunteer base. Willet called on new Master Gardener Carol Brown who heads the vermicomposting program to come share in recognition of her award.
The Special Services Award is given to an individual or group that are not Master Gardeners, but volunteer to assist Master Gardeners’ efforts. This award went to the Klahre House Alternative School students and staff for their continued and regular volunteerism at the FISH Food Bank garden for many years. Their continued efforts to help maintain the garden are greatly appreciated.
Kelsey Soltysiak was honored for her work in cataloging all of the Plant Clinic questions that Master Gardeners receive throughout the year and using this information to develop the “Tip of the Week” column for Master Gardener Social Media. Above, Leanne Hogie gives Soltysiak her award.
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Kelsey Soltysiak was honored for her work in cataloging all of the Plant Clinic questions that Master Gardeners receive throughout the year and using this information to develop the “Tip of the Week” column for Master Gardener Social Media. This information is also used by other Master Gardener projects.
Members of the Educational Writing Crew, Rachael Pirkowski, Gehrig and Jim Black, were presented with the Educational Outreach Award. The EWC was formed by Margo Dameier in early 2023 to write timely educational articles for publication in the Columbia Gorge News Home & Garden section. She then recruited members of the EWC to assist in writing these monthly articles. These writers serve to provide science-based information on timely topics of interest throughout the year.
Members of the Educational Writing Crew, Rachael Pirkowski, Gehrig and Jim Black, were presented with the Educational Outreach Award. Pictured, left to right, are Leanne Hogie, Anne Gehrig, Jim Black and Margo Dameier.
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The Golden Trowel Award goes to an exceptional first year Master Gardener who is selected by the Central Gorge Master Gardener Outreach Program Coordinator Megan Wickersham. This year’s recipient is Mike Naramore for his enthusiasm and eagerness to offer his video skills. Naramore immediately assisted in live streaming training classes, and taking video of Central Gorge Master Gardener events and workshops. This footage was later made into educational videos to populate the CGMG YouTube channel.
Mike Naramore, winner of the Golden Trowel Award. The Golden Trowel Award goes to an exceptional first year Master Gardener who is selected by the Central Gorge Master Gardener Outreach Program Coordinator Megan Wickersham.
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Sixteen members of the Central Gorge Master Gardener class of 2023 received their certificates of completion for the OSU Extension Master Gardener program. These new Master Gardeners successfully completed educational and volunteer requirements, and will now be serving the community through Master Gardener projects and educational outreach. The class of 2023 includes Gemma Althoff, Jim Black, Carol Brown, Anne Debbaut, Donna DesRochers, Stephanie Gale-McKnight, Betsy Greer, Roni Hyde, Denise Ingebo, Grace Mekarski, Jennifer Munroe, Mike Naramore, Nick Peters, Sarah Smeby, Rowan Tanner, and Amanda Van Voorhees. Additionally, 46 returning Master Gardeners received recertification certificates after completing continuing education and volunteer requirements.
Central Gorge Master Gardeners are a group of trained volunteers who serve the community through maintenance of and education in community gardens, answering home gardening questions through Master Gardener Plant Clinics, gardening shows on Radio Tierra and KIHR, Seed to Supper beginning gardening classes, hands-on seminars, educational fundraising programs, educational writing for print and social media. For more information on the Central Gorge Master Gardener program, visit extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/hoodriver or email megan.wickersham@oregonstate.edu, or follow them on Instagram and FaceBook, and Columbia Gorge News.
The Central Gorge Master Gardener program is a division of the OSU Hood River County Extension Office.
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