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Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County would like to congratulate newly certified Rutgers Master Gardeners, Deb Yamashita and Mark Whitehead.
Rutgers Master Gardeners (RMG) are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information to the public. In Cape May County, Rutgers Master Gardeners staff the Horticultural Helpline, give horticultural talks, and perform educational outreach at various events throughout the county.
The two Cape May County residents took the Rutgers Master Gardeners Volunteer training course in 2023. They both completed the 60-volunteer hour requirement to become certified Rutgers Master Gardeners. Yamashita and Whitehead participated in two garden projects and attended several events answering horticultural questions and promoting the Rutgers Master Gardener program in Cape May County. “I am so grateful for our RMG volunteers. We are working on building our program, and Deb and Mark have really gone above and beyond to make it happen,” said Jen Sawyer Caraballo, RMG Coordinator.
Both Yamashita and Whitehead said they wanted to become Rutgers Master Gardeners because they were interested in learning more about all aspects of gardening, applying that knowledge to their own gardens as well as doing volunteer gardening and assisting with the education of others – helping them to learn more about plants so they can enjoy the gift of planting and raising plants.
Anyone with an interest in gardening and a commitment to volunteer service can become a Rutgers Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required. If you are interested in becoming a Rutgers Master Gardener in Cape May County, go to https://go.rutgers.edu/fmrulxeb to fill out an information request form and you will be placed on the list to receive information on our upcoming RMG Training that will begin in January 2025.
For more information, call 609-465-5115, ext. 3615 or email capemayag@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
