Meet an MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer who trained in 1980
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EmailMargot McCormack of Wayne County joined the program in one of its original training classes.
The Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener Program® is a volunteer program that trains gardeners in a variety of topic areas including plant propagation, vegetables, woody ornamentals and soil science. Upon completing the training and volunteer onboarding, individuals volunteer in their communities at nature centers, farmers markets, schools and other area gardens.
The master gardener concept began in 1973 at Washington State University and arrived in Michigan in 1978. Since its inception, thousands of gardeners have volunteered their time as MSU Extension Master Gardeners. This article highlights the story of a volunteer who trained in one of the earliest classes in 1980.
Meet Margot McCormack
In 1980, Margot McCormack was reading a Detroit area newspaper and saw a gardening columnist’s article about the MSU Extension Master Gardener Training. For someone neither born in the United States nor a native English speaker, McCormack thought this training was limited to individuals who had already completed advanced garden training–similar to how an apprentice becomes a journeyman in the trades industry.
Undaunted, she signed up for the ten-week in-person course in Western Wayne County. Unlike today’s course which includes a complete online manual, there was no guidebook. Only handouts and clippings were available to McCormack and her four classmates in the training. Students learned a different subject each week and took weekly open-material quizzes.
During her time as an MSU Extension Master Gardener, McCormack volunteered in many ways:
- At a hospital garden in Wayne
- As a speaker about plant health care to many gardening clubs
- Answering gardening questions by telephone at the MSU Extension office
- At the now-closed organization that was known as the Detroit Garden Center
- At Greenmead Historic Park in Livonia where she assisted in the gardens
- As an active member of the Master Gardeners of Western Wayne, a local support group for many MSU Extension Master Gardeners in
McCormack’s memorable experiences
McCormack said she felt the connections with other MSU Extension Master Gardeners were a highlight of her time in the program. In fact, the program had such an impact on her that she included the year she took the Master Gardener course as part of her email address.
Though the group she originally volunteered with has largely moved on, McCormack has fond memories of the MSU staff and other volunteers in the program. In particular, she recalls MSU Extension emeritus educators Dean Krauskopf and Bob Bricault. When asked how newer members can benefit from the program, McCormack believes it’s all about dedication if you want to accomplish tasks and overcome gardening setbacks. She spent much time and effort advocating for projects that could benefit from city funding in the Livonia community. She sings praise for MSU Extension’s Smart Gardening Tipsheets that are handed out during community events and has collected many while shopping at the Northville Farmer’s Market.
Stories from former long-term MSU Extension Master Gardeners like McCormack remind us about the value of volunteers in communities. MSU Extension appreciates McCormack’s service to the community and her efforts to grow gardens and teach others about responsible plant health care.
To learn more about the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program, visit our website or reach out to one of our local MSU Extension consumer horticulture educators.
