For the past seven years, the heart of the Master Gardener Program has been Pam Geisel.  At the statewide office, Pam has worked hard to advocate on behalf of the Master Gardeners.  She secures funding for statewide trainings, supports the creation of new programs, as well as creates and maintains alignment to UC Cooperative Extension initiatives.  During her time as Director, Pam has been the visionary behind the program cohesiveness that gives us professionalism and credibility throughout the state. 

This Thursday, Pam is retiring and I am looking to the over 4500 Master Gardeners in our state to help me thank her.  To Pam:  Your passion for the Master Gardener Program is contagious and we are incredibly grateful for your hard work and tireless support.  You so greatly deserve and have so fully earned all of the joy ahead of you in your retirement.  Thank you for being a friend, a leader and an educator to all of us.

In recognition of Pam's valuable intellectual contributions, she has been granted Emeritus status with the University.  This is great news for us – Pam will make herself available as an expert speaker for presentations so she can continue to enrich our learning.  She will also be volunteering as a Glenn County Master Gardener, serving on the Master Gardener Steering Committee, and has generously offered to assist with preparations for the 2014 Conference.  I suppose in her free time, she might also get in a bit of gardening, traveling, biking, cooking and enjoying time with her husband, Ralph.

 

When it comes to changes you'll see at the statewide office, Aubrey Bray will shift from her role as Statewide Program Representative to Statewide Training Coordinator & Glenn County Master Gardener Coordinator.  We are tremendously happy for Aubrey and will keep you posted about the exciting projects Aubrey will undertake in her role as Statewide Training Coordinator. 

 

 

 

As for Pam's position, my name is Missy Gable and

I am stepping into the Director role.  I promise to share a blog post about myself and what I hope to accomplish at the statewide office in the very near future.  For now, I would like to focus on acknowledging a woman I hold in very high regard, Pam Geisel.

 

Pam, we can't thank you enough!