(DOVER-FOXCROFT)- Recently eleven folks finished their training in the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County 2013 Master Gardener Volunteer Program. They include from Piscataquis County Anita Perkins <\/b>(Atkinson), Helen Griffith<\/b> and Alyssa Gosselin <\/b>(Dover-Foxcroft), from Penobscot County Terri Plummer<\/b> (Bangor) and Sonja Birthisel<\/b> (Orono) from Aroostook County Jill McIntyre<\/b> (Presque Isle), Sue Caswell<\/b> and Jacquie Morse<\/b> (Houlton), Debra Durkin<\/b>, and Mary Ellen Marucci<\/b> (Fort Kent), and from Canada Robert Desrosiers<\/b> (New Brunswick).<\/p>\n
We would like also to thank active Certified Master Gardeners Janet Yelch-Weatherbee<\/b>, Dotty Hadler<\/b> and Karen Mass<\/b> for sharing, their volunteer time experiences in our community with the group of new Master Gardeners.<\/p>\n
This year’s program focused on vegetable and fruit production topics presented by Extension Educators, Extension Specialists, Maine Board of Pesticide Control Trainer, Penquis Beekeepers Association and Hannah Todd from Brick House Succulents (Etna).<\/p>\n
To finish their Master Gardener Certification these folks will complete 40 hours of volunteer time helping others learn about sustainable gardening.\u00a0 A variety of projects are being developed including, Garden Angel for a gardener in need, growing veggies for the Plant a Row for the Hungry Project, helping friends and neighbors with gardening questions, assisting in maintaining the gardens established at Dover-Foxcroft Town Office and Chamber of Commerce Building, and assisting at the Piscataquis Valley Fair.<\/p>\n