UC Master Gardener Program Coordinators, Marcy Sousa and Maggie O'Neill, were recognized at this years 2019/20 STAR Awards for their incredible contributions and collaborative spirits for the UC Master Gardener Program and UC ANR.
INDIVIDUAL UC ANR STAR AWARD:
San Joaquin County
Stanislaus County has long desired a UC Master Gardener Program to support gardening questions to its residents. When it was able to secure funds to support a program coordinator position in late 2018, it was becoming clear that it was going to be a challenge to recruit and screen candidates for the new class of volunteers and provide a comprehensive training program by January of 2019. That was when Marcy Sousa, program coordinator in the neighboring county of San Joaquin, jumped into action and offered to fill host the Stanislaus trainees with her own.
Each week, the UC Master Gardener Program of Stanislaus County class of 23 trainees joined Marcy's already large class of 40 people. The additional trainees required extra time, planning, and coordination - plus mentorship of Stanislaus' new program coordinator Anne Schellman. Because of Marcy's extraordinary effort, Stanislaus County was able to graduate their first class of volunteers in May 2019, instead of having to wait another year.
“We couldn't have started our brand new UC Master Gardener Program in Stanislaus County without her hard work and help!” says Anne Schellman. "When it was time for Stanislaus County to start our own training program, I called Marcy multiple times each week for advice that she willingly gave. Marcy's enthusiasm, helpful nature, and generosity allowed me to develop Stanislaus' 2020 UC Master Gardener Program that just finished up via Zoom training. Our program would not be as rigorous or well-developed had it not been for Marcy's invaluable help.”
Not only does Marcy mentor and support fellow UC Master Gardener program coordinators, but she also supports the entire program serving on the UC Master Gardener Program's advisory committee. In this role, Marcy is crucial in helping to develop and review program policies, impact evaluation efforts, and provide guidance for the future direction of the program - all while running a robust program in San Joaquin County!
TEAM UC ANR STAR AWARD:
Maggie O'Neill
San Bernardino County
UCCE San Bernardino Program 'Integration Stars'
The UCCE San Bernardino Program 'Integration Stars' have been working hard to create a seamless, meaningful program integration that benefits all three of ANR's statewide programs: Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Master Gardener Program (MG) and Master Food Preservers Program (MFP). Maggie O'Neill played an important role on this team as they worked together to overlay and integrate programming to maximize benefits for San Bernardino County residents.
"I am thrilled to learn that 'Team UCCE San Bernardino County' was recognized by UC ANR leadership for their hands-on education across our MG, MFP, and EFNEP programs to help adults and children in underserved communities learn how to grow and preserve their own food and improve their health and diets," says Janet Hartin, Area Environmental Horticulture Advisor and County Co-Director.
During the 2018-2019 school year, building on the strength of EFNEP's relationship with schools, UCCE San Bernardino County started to incorporate UC Master Gardener and UC Master Food Preserver programs in the school setting. School administrators and staff see this addition as “value-added” to EFNEP and are more welcoming. Since 2018, the UCCE San Bernardino 'Integration Stars' have demonstrated program synergy at several schools in San Bernardino County. Jones Elementary was the first pilot school, where EFNEP provided nutrition education to youth in all first to third grade classrooms, followed by parent education from the Eating Smart Being Active series, two UC master Gardener Program classes on growing herbs and growing food in small spaces, and a UC Master Food Preserver class on food preservation. In addition, Maggie helped troubleshoot the challenges with school garden vandalism by switching to a garden cart on wheels and entertaining the children with worms in hand-on vermicomposting demonstrations.
Within the two-year span, the UCCE San Bernardino 'Integration Stars' have come together to reach more youth and families than would have been reached separately. Even more importantly, the Integration Team connected the dots for program recipients, teaching them how growing and preserving their own food directly relates to a healthier diet and lifestyle leading to a higher quality of life.
UCCE San Bernardino Program 'Integration Stars' Team Members:
- Christine Davidson
- Dee Denton
- Dalila Lizarraga
- Marilynn Ljungberg
- Maggie O'Neill
- Roxana Puentes
- Clara Wilshire
For details about the achievements of the STAR winners, see the recording of the June event posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/All_Hands.