The McLeod County Extension Master Gardeners are a group steeped in loyalty and tradition. Since the group’s inception in 1991, they have provided thousands of hours of volunteer service to McLeod County and its residents. Many community members participate in booths at annual plant sales, horticultural education days, and McLeod County Fairs, but the role of an Extension Master Gardener extends beyond these annual events. Master Gardeners volunteer to teach young people at the local Hutchinson Farmers Market, offer free gardening education in person or on YouTube, conduct Junior Master Gardener’s Day His Camps, and more.
In 2022, McLeod County Extension Master Gardeners are celebrating six volunteer anniversaries. Congratulations:
- Diane Enstad 10 years
- Sandra Kaufman, 10 years old
- Deb Carstens, 20
- Roxanne Stensvad, 25,
- Marian Firk, 30
- Janet Dolezal, 35 years old.
Meet Roxanne, Marian and Janet
Together, Roxanne Stensvad, Marian Filk, and Janet Dolezal have made an impact in McLeod County with 90 years of volunteer service and 5,100 volunteer hours.
Roxanne Stensvad is a 40 year retired teacher. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Todd County and Concordia.After she earned her bachelor’s degree from Moorhead College, she was hired as a biology teacher at Glencoe High School. Her fellow teachers sparked her interest in gardening when she arrived at Glencoe High School.
“He asked permission to bring his plants into our greenhouse,” said Stensvad. “He brought them in and just changed my entire classroom environment, and the kids loved it.”
Stensvad also attributes her love of gardening to gardening classes that fell on her shoulders.
“I was in charge of the gardening class,” says Stensvad. “My colleague taught it for years, but it didn’t fit my schedule. I was in charge of the biology section that year and was given the task of taking over it.”
After taking over that gardening class and learning to delve into his love of gardening, Stensvad joined the McLeod County Extension Master Gardener Program. This year Stensvad celebrated her 25th anniversary with the program. Her longtime involvement with JMG Day included some of her most memorable moments, including attending her camp, Horticultural Education Day, her Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Landscapes answering questions at her Arboretum. or bring
Projects Stensvad has contributed to over the years include buckthorn removal at a local hospice center, garden bed creation for Silver Lake Lions, and garden bed care for the McLeod County Fairgrounds.
“The best part of being a master gardener is that you are constantly learning, meeting new people and making new friends,” says Stensvad.
Stensvad and Marian Filk have been close friends since joining the program. Filk celebrated her 30th anniversary as a McLeod County Extension Master Gardener.
Marian Filke, McLeod County Master Gardener
Firk’s love of gardening began when she was a little girl and continues today with the whole family.
“When I was little, my mother was a gardener and gave each of us a little space to grow something. My space was round and I used to grow balsam,” Firk said. . “At this stage in my life, I mostly grow flowers, but my family mostly grows vegetables.”
Thirty years ago, Filke learned about the McLeod County Extension Master Gardener Program through a close friend. She soon joined an open-minded group to learn about various gardening topics.
While participating in the Macleod County Extension Master Gardener Program, Filk has read to toddlers and first graders at 17 JMG day camps, annual horticultural education days, and library story time.
“My most memorable event is the JMG Day Camp,” said Firk. “It’s rewarding to see the sparks that are created when children connect with nature, and learn that the flames have grown many years later.”
He has served on the fair’s board since 1981 and has held various roles at the fair since then.
“Other memorable moments include the people we met along the way,” Firk said. “
After 30 years with McLeod County Master Gardeners, Filke is still making memories and making an impact in McLeod County.
Macleod County Master Gardener Janet Dolezal surrounded by plants
Thirty years of volunteer work dates back to one year after the McLeod County Master Gardener Program began. He has one volunteer who has been active beyond its formal launch. I’m Janet Dolezal. Dolezal has been in the Extension Master Gardener program for 35 years.
Born and raised in McLeod County, Dolezal grew up on a dairy farm northwest of Hutchinson.
“My father was a gardener. We always had a huge vegetable garden,” said Dolezal. “I remember very well. Before he came to eat breakfast after milking, he was in the garden and I went out with him and learned.”
After getting married, having children, and attending technical school, Dolezal became a member of the Horticultural Society of McLeod County. Her Dolezal involvement in this group formed the Extension Master Gardener program.
“I think I was the third person in the county to take the Master Gardener’s Course,” Dolezal said. “That was 35 years ago.”
throughout her time on the program. Dolezal became a certified horticultural judge at the County’s Fair, and she spent her time teaching 4-H youth how to get their plants ready to display at the County’s Fair. Her flower judging spanned her 20 counties in Minnesota and she also attended the Minnesota State Fair. She also oversees the McLeod County Flower Exhibition, where she has been for 46 years.
As an Extension Master Gardener, Dolezal has provided education to McLeod County through various educational programs such as Free Horticultural Knowledge. She has also taught fair exhibitors “tips and tricks” of exhibiting through videos on the Hutchinson Community Video Network.
“I learned a lot and I feel the need to pass it on so others can enjoy gardening,” said Dolezal.
After serving as a McLeod County Extension Master Gardener for 35 years, Dolezal encourages others to join the program and volunteer in the community.
“You don’t have to be an expert to be an extension master gardener,” says Dolezal. “There are so many different topics and you really learn a lot.”
Congratulations again to Diane Enstad, Sandra Kaufman, Deb Karstens, Roxanne Stensvad, Marian Filk and Janet Dolezal for their countless years of service to the community. Thank you for your commitment to McLeod County and the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program.
