UNION COUNTY, NJ — A Union County Vocational-Technical Schools graduate has been named the 2026 recipient of the Madeline Flahive DiNardo Scholarship from the Master Gardeners of Union County.
Marissa Duarte received the $750 annual award, which supports a Union County student pursuing further studies in agriculture, horticulture, food science, environmental science or a related field.
The Master Gardeners of Union County Scholarship Committee selected Duarte based on her academic excellence, community involvement and personal statement about the role gardening has played in her life.
Duarte plans to study Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The announcement said she hopes to explore food production and sustainability and make a positive impact on food systems and community well-being.
Duarte began gardening in middle school as a member of the Rutgers 4-H Garden Club.
She later became club president, where she taught younger members about gardening and environmental stewardship and took part in community outreach projects.
She also worked at the garden at Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, where she helped develop a partnership with Kean University's sustainability and architecture departments to support and redesign the garden.
Produce grown there is donated to the organization's on-site food pantry. Work allowed Duarte to see firsthand how gardening and food production can benefit local families.
"My experience leading the Garden Club showed me how gardening can strengthen communities," Marissa wrote in her scholarship essay.
Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek said, "Marissa has taken her interest in gardening and used it to help others, from teaching younger students to growing food for local families."
He added, "That is an impressive accomplishment, and I congratulate her on this well-deserved scholarship. I wish her the best as she begins her studies at UMass Amherst."
The scholarship is named for Madeline Flahive DiNardo, a recently retired Rutgers professor and Agricultural Agent who served the Master Gardeners of Union County for 38 years.
According to the announcement, she provided education, leadership and mentorship to generations of Master Gardeners.
"We are delighted to recognize Marissa with this year's scholarship," said Patricia Paul, president of the Master Gardeners of Union County. "Her commitment to gardening, leadership and community service reflects the values this scholarship was created to recognize. We wish her every success at UMass Amherst."
New Jersey Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers Cooperative Extension in providing horticultural education and research-based information to the public.
The Union County program began in 1987, and Master Gardeners have provided more than 232,000 hours of volunteer service to Union County residents.
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