2017 Big Spring Master Gardener Association Year End Event

The Big Spring Master Gardener Association held their annual year-end Celebration on December 12, 2017 at the 4-H Lodge in Greeneville.  Master Gardeners were recognized for their individual and group achievements in 2017 as well as participated in a “tackiest garden hat” contest, in which Glenn Karuschkat, Mary Anna Pirozzoli, and Sabrina Beal were the grand prizewinners in Most Traditional, Most Creative, and Most Confusing respectively.  Mayor David Crum and his wife Louise judged the completion. 

2017 was the culmination of eight years of service for the Big Spring Master Gardener Association in Greene County.  The following members were recognized for their dedication to the program for five consecutive years of service:  Aliceson Bales, Mary Goldman, Ken Harrison, and Penny Humphreys.
Those receiving recognition as VIP’s, which are those that have been active members for three years included:  Glenn Karuschkat, Mary Anna Pirozzoli, and Lydia Sweatt.

Many members received recognition in service awards for their annual commitment in volunteering.

Bronze (50-99 hours)
Beverly Barnett
Joe Brown
Bob Fleegle
Gayle Hottinger
Penny Humphreys
Jane K
Randi Nott
Bev Walker

Silver (100-199 hours)
Aliceson Bales
Michele Bradley
Martha Fluharty
Jeff Gilliland
Ken Harrison
Patricia Hayes
Beth Hembree
Jerry Kische
Pat Moore
Mary Anna Pirozzoli
Wolf Spendel

Gold (200-299 hours)
Jeanne Driese
Mary Goldman
Glenn Karuschkat

Platinum (300+ hours)
Lydia Sweatt
Simon Wilhoit
Virginia Williams

BSMGA members that gave over 100 hours of volunteer service in 2017 were recognized for their dedication and commitment with a certificate and gold leaf pins to commemorate their accomplishments.  

2017 Gold Leaf Club Members - Members with over 100 hours of service
17 MG’s contributed 3906.26 hours in 2017 totaling $94,297.12
Aliceson Bales
Michele Bradley
Jeanne Driese
Martha Fluharty
Jeff Gilliland
Mary Goldman
Ken Harrison
Patricia Hayes
Beth Hembree
Glenn Karuschkat
Jerry Kische
Pat Moore
Mary Anna Pirozzoli
Wolf Spendel
Lydia Sweatt
Simon Wilhoit
Virginia Williams

The following members were recognized for outstanding service to BSMGA:

Intern Service Award-Simon Wilhoit
Contributed most to BSMGA through volunteer service contributions this year...

Community Service Award-Wolf Spendel
Most highly represented BSMGA in community outreach programs; not only within BSMGA, but also other civic organizations…

Greene Thumb Award-Patricia Hayes
Represents BSMGA in horticultural related activities through both demonstration and educational venues to promote horticulture efforts and endeavors in BSMGA, as well as our communities within both Master Gardeners and community clientele…

Club Service Award-Mary Goldman
Most contributed to the mission/scope of the BSMGA through outreach and returned outstanding service with a positive attitude…

Outstanding Educator Award-Beth Hembree
Contributed most to the organization through their teaching and educational outreach efforts in both BSMGA and UT Extension…

Foundation Award-Lydia Sweat
Contributed most to each project, event, and fundraiser hosted and/or sponsored by UT Extension and/or BSMGA...

Spirit Award-Jane Karuschkat
Most fosters the spirit and embodies the vision of the Master Gardener program by engaging both BSMGA members and Greene County constituents...

Excellence in Service Award-Virginia Williams
Contribution of most volunteer and continuing education hours, including teaching and administrative; and attendance in multiple county, regional, and state events…

Honorary MG members-Mayor David Crum and wife Louise and Cliff Fluharty

The following individuals were elected to serve on the 2018 Leadership Team:
President:  Michele Bradley
Vice President: Jerry Kische
Secretary: Lydia Sweatt
Treasurer:  Glenn Karuschkat
Parliamentarian:  Lamar Neas & Virginia Williams
Reporter: Mary Goldman
2017 Class Rep: Beverly Barnett
 
Last but not least, the BSMGA certified nine interns into the BSMGA program during 2017.  These members participated in 40 hours of classroom training, as well as devoted 40 hours of volunteering to community service projects within Greene County’s BSMGA program.  The newest additions to the BSMGA in 2017:

• Beverly Barnett
• Joe Brown
• Elizabeth Ferguson
• Gayle Hottinger
• Jane Karuschkat
• Pat Mullins
• Susan Pezanowski
• Sue Rhodes
• Simon Wilhoit

 
Upon completion of volunteer hours, Estelle Strydom will also become a certified BSMGA member in 2018.   
 
As the value of a volunteer hour was worth $24.14 in 2017, according to the Department of Labor statistics, BSMGA contributed $124,987.50 in economic value in Greene County through their annual cumulative total of 5177.61 hours.

The BSMGA is looking forward to yet another year of exciting and worthwhile community gardening projects throughout Greene County.  Projects include directing weekly gardening seminars at the Boys & Girls Club; maintaining and facilitating educational seminars at the New Hope Cemetery landscape; designing, implementing, and maintaining the Soup Kitchen gardens; maintaining the landscape beds at several gates at the Greene County Fairgrounds; and hosting a Plant Sale and educational exhibits on May 12, 2018 at the Greene County Fairgrounds.  They will also participate in Greene County Fair events; participate in community events such as Kid’s Day on the Farm; the Greene County Christmas Parade; and be available to answer questions in the Master Gardener lab at the Greene County UT Extension Office every Monday through Wednesday, March-October from 10 AM – 3PM.
 
For additional information on the BSMGA, please feel free to contact the Greene County UT Extension Office at 423-798-1710 or e-mail Melody Rose, Extension Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator at mtrose@utk.edu.  Also, check out the BSMGA website at www.bsmga.com

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