Kane County Master Gardener earns state honor

Kane County Master Gardener Sue Styer of Geneva earned an State Outstanding Master Gardener Award during the 2018 Illinois Master Gardener Conference Sept. 7 in Springfield.

The State Outstanding Award recognizes the best of University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners each year.

Nominated Master Gardeners have set an exceptional example and the honorees must demonstrate leadership, initiative and follow-through; collaborate well with other volunteers or organizations; and keep up with continuing education.

Only one to two percent of active Master Gardeners are honored annually.

Styer completed her Master Gardener training in 2014, and since has taken on many leadership and educational roles, according to Sarah Fellerer, Master Gardener Program Coordinator in Kane County.

She serves as office garden team leader, new intern mentor, rotating columnist for the Kane County Chronicle, and a Master Naturalist, just to name a few.

"Her true calling is education," said Fellerer. "Sue shares her knowledge in our Speakers Bureau group and as a community garden adviser. She also created and presents programs about seed saving, seed starting, making insect hotels, and more. She updated the 'Herman the Worm' curriculum for grade school youth and leads a garden-themed yoga class for kids at annual activity days with a local garden center."

She also has been a part of the award-winning Sherman Natural Prairie and Community Garden volunteer team and the Kane County Master Gardener Idea Garden team.

"Sue's love of nature, insects and native plants have bolstered our strong Master Gardener program in Kane County," Fellerer said. "We are honored that she chooses to share her time and talents with the community through our Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs."

For more information on the Master Gardener program in Kendall and Kane counties, visit go.illinois.edu/extensiondkk.