Throughout the summer months of 2024, ten members of the Northern Neck Master Gardeners (NNMG) participated in training offered by Virginia Tech for certification as Extension Master Gardener Water Stewards. The program included zoom classes, in-person activities, study of resource materials, and the completion of a project that incorporated principles of the training. This September, Virginia Tech certified the completion of all elements by the 10 students and awarded them their hard-earned certificates.
Through the Cooperative Extension Service, Virginia Tech offers three Advanced Master Gardener certifications: Water Stewards, Land Stewards, and Tree Stewards.
Each certification provides Extension Master Gardeners with opportunities to expand and enhance their knowledge in ways that allow them to offer additional services to their communities.
For the NNMGs, the Water Steward training is a core component in their training as members of the Shoreline Evaluation Program (SEP). SEP participants serve waterfront homeowners across the Northern Neck through performing on-site evaluations of shoreline properties and by public lectures, thereby educating property owners on how to protect their shorelines in ways that also help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
Newly qualified Water Stewards include Carla Bangs, Deborah Marl, Carol Martin, Katherine McConnell, Steve Mosier, Henry Riely, Diane Smith, and Mary Turville. In addition, two members who were already Water Stewards, Margie Beane and Marge Gibson, also participated in the course.
Carla Bangs also holds the distinction of having already qualified as a Land Steward and a Tree Steward. Graduates of the Steward programs are required to provide 20 hours of community service in their field (in addition to their volunteer commitment as Master Gardeners) and to undertake an additional 8 hours of continuing education each year.
“It is an indication of the commitment SEP team members have to our program that they were prepared to spend long summer hours in the classroom and at their studies to achieve this goal,” stated Susan Lindsey, SEP chair. “We are proud of them and thank them for sacrificing prime gardening time during the summer so they could complete this course work.”
For more information on the Shoreline Evaluation Program, go to the Northern Neck Master Gardener website at nnmg.org.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devises, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Trent Jones at 804-580-5694/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.
Founded in 1989, the Northern Neck Master Gardener Association is a not-for-profit organization. Its purpose is to promote and serve the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Master Gardener Program in cooperation with the Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, and Essex County Extension Offices in fulfilling the educational mission of VCE.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.
Northern Neck Master Gardeners – www.nnmg.org
Virginia Cooperative Extension – https://northumberland.ext.vt.edu
Contact: Mary Beane, Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Coordinator – mbbeane@vt.edu] – (804) 580-5694