A local Master Gardener and former reporter for The Carthage Press was honored for giving more than 1,100 hours of service to the community over the past 12 years.

Glenita Browning, a Master Gardener since 1995 received the Ozark Gateway Master Gardener's 1,000 hour Lifetime Achievement Award for her service over the past 13 years.

Janet LaFon, coordinator of the Master Gardener program, said Master Gardeners are required to give 30 hours in their first year of certification and 20 years in each year after that to maintain certification, but Browning has given far more than that.

"She's got a couple of years that were lower, but she's got a lot of years where she gave more than 100 hours," LaFon said. "We decided we needed to recognize our volunteers as they hit these major milestones and Glenita was the first one to reach a milestone since we made the decision."

LaFon said Browning is chair of the committee working on the gardens around the remodeled Carthage Public Library. She has also chaired group's annual plant sale, which raises money for community beautification projects. It's the group's only fundraiser of the year.

LaFon said Browning is taking the lead on a new program to mentor new Master Gardeners and help them find ways to complete their volunteer requirements.
In other Master Gardener news, 57 Master Gardeners were recognized recently for providing volunteer service to their local communities.  Twelve completed their Master Gardener certification by donating at least 30 hours.  Another 45 maintained their certification by donating at least 20 hours during the past year.

Completing their Master Gardener certification were Mel Anderson and Debby Pearson, Carthage; Charlie Bentlage, Lou Anne Herron, Ande Houser-Merrell, Lee Rodriguez, Ted Strote, Joplin; Mary Claflin, Bronaugh; Chuck Evans, Miller; Gloria Gubser, Sarcoxie; and Becky and Kirby Plank, Goodman.

Maintaining their certification were Mary Bethel, Glenita Browning, Beulah Courter, Eric Ferrell, Peggy Kessinger, Susan Primm, Benita Shields, and Nina Von Holten, Carthage; Gerald Gardner and Mary Ann Simrell, Sarcoxie;  Doris Carson, Vicki Christensen, Vivian Cox, Anna Guarino, Mary Holtmeier, Shelly Keener, Dale Mermoud, Pedro Pantoja, Kitty Ward, Ron Wood, and Marilyn Wylie, Joplin; Susie Cook, Debbie Fedie, Carole Hayes, Pat King, Denise Kramme, Terri Smith, and Edie Sullivan, Carl Junction; Brenda Beck, Cassville; Stan Bell, Wentworth; Linda Goodman, Oronogo; Gary and Judy Davis, Purdy; Carol Kay, Monett; Susan Ball, Shirley Mitchell and Donna Whitehead, Seneca, Patty Poirot, Miller; Diane and Richard Volk, Duenweg; Janet Mote, Reeds; Lois Hefley, Webb City; Betty Bierkortte, Pierce City; and Paul and Sharon Duncan, Aurora.

The following specials awards were presented: Rookie of the Year, Lou Anne Herron, Joplin; Community Service Award, Pat King, Carl Junction; Coordinator's Service Award, Stan Bell, Wentworth and Betty Holland Volunteer of the Year Award, Debbie Fedie, Carl Junction.

The Master Gardener program begins with approximately 30 hours of classroom instruction. At the end of the training program, the participants are asked to donate a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service in their communities within the following year. To maintain the certification, they are asked to give at least 20 hours of service per year. During 2007, local Master Gardeners donated over 3,000 hours resulting in almost 5,000 contacts.

For more information about the program, contact the Jasper County University of Missouri Extension Center in Carthage at 417-358-2158.