At a recent celebration for Kent and Sussex Master Gardeners volunteers, the Master Gardener of the Year for 2022 for each county was announced.

The Kent County honor went to Karla Boulter of Dover. Megan Pleasanton, Master Gardener program coordinator on behalf of Delaware State University, shared highlights of Ms. Boulter’s service. 

A Master Gardener since 2013, Ms. Boulter, for the past 7 years, served as chair of Kent County Scholarship Plant Sale , which has transitioned from a traditional event held at the DSU greenhouses to a hybrid-pre-order and live sale at the DSU Outreach and Research Center. 

“Last year the sale made the most profit ever, and that has allowed the Master Gardeners to award three $1,500 scholarships in 2023,” Ms. Pleasanton said.

“Karla is always willing to share her encyclopedic knowledge of plants,” Ms. Pleasanton said.
“She is almost always on the panel for ‘Ask the Master Gardener’ workshops, and any time someone asks her a question, she willingly identifies the person's plant and tells them what she knows about its growing conditions, potential pests and diseases,” Ms. Pleasanton said.

In 2022, she lent her knowledge to the newly established Garden Advice program  where she helped the team answer questions on site for Kent County residents. She also is active with the Green Thumb Program at the Modern Maturity Center. 

Ms. Boulter was noted for her welcoming attitude, making new members feel comfortable and respected.  Ms. Boulter can be counted on to teach basic introductory material for the training classes and other topics as requested. 

“Karla represents the model of a Master Gardener educator,” Ms. Pleasanton told the audience. “She is a tremendous asset to the program, and that's why she is this year’s Kent County Master Gardener of the Year.”

Tracy Wootten, Master Gardener program coordinator for Sussex County, introduced Mary Noel of Bridgeville as that county’s recipient.

Ms. Noel joined the program in 2007 and has served in numerous capacities.

“Mary works in the garden, does workshops, and has even served as our president,” Ms. Wootten said. “No job is too big or small for her and you usually find her working in the background no matter what the project.”

Ms. Noel was lauded for leading in her support and sharing ideas and her decorating creativity at events such as the annual banquet. 

“It is great to work information tables with her because you always end up learning something as she answers the public’s questions,” Ms. Wootten said.

“Mary is a wonderful example of what it means to be a master gardener. She is often the first person we think of when we need a workshop because she is so knowledgeable and talented.”

Ms. Noel served on the plant sale committee and assumed leadership as the Speakers Bureau Chair last year. Ms. Noel, with active roles in local, state, regional and national garden clubs, proved herself as an excellent liaison to the gardening community.

“Mary is a great example of a leader and educator,” Ms. Wootten said. “I am honored to present her with this Master Gardener of the year award for Sussex County.”

Nominations for Master Gardener of the Year Award are submitted by their peers to the county Extension program coordinators, who make the final decision from among the deserving submissions.

For more information, visit http://www.udel.edu/0010264.