Greetings UME Master Gardeners!
Summer is here and UME Master Gardener projects, events, and activities have been ramping up across the state. At this time, I would like to share with you a few important announcements from the UME Master Gardener State office.
After serving superbly for 3 ½ years as UME Master Gardener Advanced Training Coordinator, Alicia Bembenek, PhD has moved on from her position with the UME Master Gardener Program to pursue her love for data and data visualization as an independent contractor. While working for UME Master Gardener Program, Alicia planned and implemented the Annual MG/MN Training Conference, UME Master Gardener Advanced Training, and improved UME Master Gardener Program operations by incorporating her evaluation, data visualization, and graphic design skills on all our projects.
Congratulations to Alicia on her new calling!
In addition to Alicia’s departure, I have made the decision to step down as the State Master Gardener Coordinator. For 24 wonderful years, I have served as State Master Gardener Coordinator and Extension Specialist, Vegetables & Fruits. Since 2007, I have also been the Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) Director. I have worn all three hats proudly and have greatly enjoyed my time doing so.
As both the Home and Garden Information Center and the UME Master Gardener Program have become extremely successful UME programs over the years, it has become undeniable that these two programs require separate leadership roles to continue pushing the programs forward towards even grander aspirations. I truly believe we need a State Master Gardener Coordinator who can focus 100% of the time on the UME Master Gardener Program. Don’t worry! I won’t be far away and will still be available to train UME Master Gardeners.
Below you will find a link for the
State Master Gardener Coordinator Position
.
Please share this announcement with your social networks and with all individuals who may be qualified/interested in applying for the position
.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your extraordinary work as UME Master Gardener volunteer educators. Your dedication towards educating your fellow Maryland residents is exemplary. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you all and working towards achieving our goals together.
The UME Master Gardener State office will keep you updated during this transitional period and notify you when we are ready to welcome our new State Master Gardener Coordinator to our team. These are exciting times! I look forward to see our new leader embrace the UME Master Gardener Program and make strides to advance our mission forward.
Enjoy the rest of your summer gardening!
Sincerely,
Jon Traunfeld
