SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener volunteers were honored recently for their hard work and dedication in educating Ohioans about horticulture and spreading a love for gardening through activities and programs.

The Master Gardener Volunteer State Conference and Master Gardener Volunteer Awards and Dinner Program was recently held in Mason, Ohio, with over 150 Master Gardener volunteers attending the awards program, and over 200 attending the conference.

Volunteers and Master Gardener Volunteer programs from across Ohio were recognized during the program. Dan Poast, Miami County Volunteer, received the OSUE Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer award.  "These award winners are a small sample of the shining stars in the Master Gardener volunteer program. Volunteers from all over the state are working to better the quality of life in their community and are succeeding," said Pam Bennett, OSU Extension statewide Master Gardener volunteer coordinator. "They are educating citizens in best management practices as well as creating beautiful communities."

Volunteers and programs honored during the event include:

• OSU Extension Friend of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program – Carol and Bill Freund, Coschocton County; Mark Foertmeyer, Delaware County; and Steve Foltz, Hamiton County.

• Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator -- Northeast Region, Rosalie Perry, Huron County; South Central Region, Cory Skurdal, Franklin County; West Region, Florian Chirra, Williams County. State winners were Rosalie Perry (volunteer coordinator), Huron County and Cory Skurdal (paid staff coordinator), Franklin County.

• Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer Project – Small Category, Van Wert County, Smiley Park Children’s Garden; Medium Category, Warren County, Fort Ancient State Memorial Prehistoric Gardens; Large Category, Lucas County, Master Gardener Speakers’ Bureau Lecture Series on Victory Gardens.

• Master Gardener Volunteer Project Excellence Awards – Community Service Project, Stark County, The Stark County Jail Garden Project; Demonstration Garden, Greene County, James Ranch, Greene County Outdoor Classroom; Educational Program, Delaware County, Green Thumbs Gardeners’ Fair; Special Audiences, Trumbull County, Trumbull County Master Gardener Eldercare Program; Youth Program, Erie County, Erie County Jr. Master Gardeners.

• Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer: Northeast Region, Judy Emmons, Huron County; South Central Region, Joanne Dole, Franklin County; West Region, Dan Poast, Miami County. State winner was Dan Poast, Miami County.

In 2008, there were over 3,100 active OSU Extension Master Gardeners in more than 71 Ohio counties, providing outreach and education to nearly 250,000 Ohio residents.  The Master Gardener volunteer program provides over 100,000 hours of service and nearly 30,000 hours of continuing education. Economic value of the program in the state totals $2.3 million. For more information on the OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program, log on to http://mastergardener.osu.edu/.