By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Livingston County Master Gardener Cathy Montgomery was recently named a 2016 Outstanding Illinois Master Gardener by the University of Illinois Extension.

Montgomery is a retired teacher from Flanagan and said she credits this recognition to the group of Master Gardeners she works with and says they are very helpful and gave her a lot of opportunities.

“First of all I was surprised and I was flattered, too (about the recognition). But the thing about the award, it wouldn’t have ever come about if I hadn’t been working with other people. The group in Livingston County – I think they probably had about 12 to 15 members when I first joined and they were very welcoming and invited me in to doing the different projects that they have already started. I just say it’s a good opportunity for people to learn about gardening and I would encourage anyone that has the chance to take the Master Gardener courses to do it,” Montgomery said.

For more information about the Master Gardener program, call the Extension office at 842-1776.