As we celebrated National Volunteer Week on this blog with many Extension Master Gardener programs across the country, we learned from Mary-Jean Grimes in our opening blog post that Washington State has their own volunteer week specifically for Washington State University Master Gardeners.
WSU Extension Master Gardener Program leader, Tonie Fitzgerald shared with us this press release: Gov. Gregoire Recognizes 39th Anniversary with WSU Master Gardener Volunteer Week. Here we share the official proclamation, signed by Gov. Gregoire.
Washington State Proclamation: "Washington State University Master Gardener Volunteer Week" (Larger size available: WashingtonStateMGProclamation2012)
As Tonie Fitzgerald mentions in the press release,
The WSU Extension Master Gardener Program is larger and stronger than ever.
“Master Gardeners really understand the need for their work to be relevant,” she said. “They’re teaching about protecting water quality and growing food all over the state now.”
Created in Washington State in 1973, the Master Gardener “teach the teacher” model has spread to similar programs in all 50 states. WSU faculty and staff train Certified Master Gardener Volunteers to be community educators about issues of importance in their local communities. Last year, Master Gardener volunteers reported nearly 232,000 hours of service in the state.
Congratulations and thank you WSU Master Gardeners! We hope you have enjoyed celebrating this week.
-Story ideas and resources contributed by Mary-Jeam Grimes, Master Gardener, Grays Harbor-Pacific Counties, Washington State and Tonie Fitzgerald, WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Leader.
-Posted by Karen Jeannette, eXtension Consumer Horticulture Content Coordinator
Tags: volunteers, washington state
