Kane County Master Gardener Receives State Honor

Kane County Master Gardener Patsy Hirsch of Elgin earned an State Outstanding Master Gardener Award during the 2016 Illinois Master Gardener Conference on Friday, Aug. 19 in Champaign.

The State Outstanding State Award honors the best of University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners each year. An active Master Gardener for eight years now, Hirsch founded the award-winning Sherman Natural Prairie and Community Garden at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, according to a news release.

“Since its inception in 2011, Patsy has dedicated her volunteer time to teaching the more than 90 gardeners to successfully raise food for their family tables and the community,” said Sarah Fellerer, Master Gardener Program Coordinator in Kane County. “Patsy has proven to be a valued, respected leader, and works closely and effectively with community partners.”

Hirsch worked with hospital administration from conception through master planning to construction of the garden, which now features 48 raised garden beds, including Master Gardener demonstration plots. Her team of volunteers educates the growers throughout the season, through meetings, newsletters and on-site consultation, according to the news release.

“Her ever-expanding team of volunteers come up with many unique and outstanding ideas, such as recognizing well-tended gardens by placing decorative flags in them and offering gentle, yet constructive, tips for new participants,” added Fellerer.

A certified Master Naturalist as well, Hirsch put that knowledge to work when she mentored a local Girl Scout through her Pollinator Garden Gold Award Project at Sherman Garden. Hirsch also advocated for more than a year for the prescribed burn of Advocate Sherman natural areas, and that goal was achieved in the spring of 2016, said Fellerer.

Hirsch also mentors Master Gardener interns, and serves on the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener State Advisory Committee and the local tri-county Extension Council, according to the news release.

“Patsy takes the Master Gardener mission of ‘Helping Others Learn to Grow’ to heart,’” said Fellerer. “Her organizational skills, ability to motivate people, and friendly attitude keep all who participate in projects with her wanting to stay involved. She has a knack for identifying people’s strengths and coaxing them to reach their potential. She has been a true asset and leader for our Kane County program.”