Master Gardeners of the Ozarks Executive Committee Members stand with Carol Gerhart and Army Corps of Engineers Representative, Jim Sandberg.
(Left to Right) Bill Greet, Treasurer; Elaine Fischer, Secretary; Kathryn Kufahl, President; Carol Gerhart, Award Recipient; Jim Sandberg, Operations Project Manager for Table Rock Lake; Sharon Burgess, Vice-President

Master Gardener of the Ozarks Carol Gerhart could not conceal her shock when she was surprised by two awards at the monthly meeting of the Stone and Taney County Master Gardener group on Monday, February 14th.

The first award was presented by Jim Sandberg, operations project manager at the Army Corps of Engineers' Table Rock Lake and recognizes Carol's achievements over an 8 year span as chairperson of the Dewey Short Visitors Center Committee of the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks. She and her committee are responsible for the design, planting and maintenance of several flower beds and landscape features at the Visitors Center. "I can't tell you how many times people have mentioned the beauty and aesthetic quality of the landscaping around the Visitors Center," Sandberg noted as he presented the award. "There is no way we could've done this without Carol and the Master Gardeners."

Ms. Gerhart was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks, in recognition of her many years and tireless efforts as a volunteer for the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener program.

The Master Gardeners of the Ozarks is based in the Stone and Taney County area with close to 100 active residents who participate. Master Gardeners are trained by the University of Missouri Extension as gardening and horticulture outreach specialist and pay back their education by volunteering their communities. The volunteer aspect of the program is the heart of the community outreach effort.