Congratulations to Master Gardener Anita Gracie who won first place in the Individual Achievement Award and to Mike Wohl who was awarded 3rd place in the same category.

We celebrated their achievements at the National Masters Conference at Ryton Gardens on 30 June 2012.

Both are passionate about sharing their food growing knowledge and enthusiasm with other people.

Please read their stories below.

A big thank you to all North London Master Gardeners! They recorded an amazing 350 hours of support to households from April to June this year and a whopping 1,000 conversations with people about the joys and know-hows of growing your own food.

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Anita Gracie

Anita Gracie receiving her award from Blue Peter Gardener Chris Collins

Anita has excelled at engaging a wide range of people from all backgrounds and ages, from primary age children at a local school through to elders in their eighties at Holloway Neighbourhood Group.

She has put enormous effort and energy into preparing sessions and countless hours in running activities.

A particular success has been encouraging Caribbean elders to get involved with growing vegetables in raised beds. They have particularly benefited by connecting/reminiscing about their Caribbean backgrounds and upbringing, where growing vegetables was a big part of their culture.

Anita is patient and understanding about different learners’ needs and can adapt her mentoring style to fit the group or individuals she is supporting.

Congratulations to Anita for her well-deserved award!

Mike Wohl

Mike’s enthusiasm is infectious

Mike Wohl has been an energetic, excellent and dedicated Master Gardener, organising talks, events and workshops for people from all walks of life.

He was nominated by the manager of N4 Library, Nick Tranmer who highlighted Mike’s highly successful gardening talks and groups at the library.

Nick says: “Mike is great at putting over his enthusiasm for growing food and getting people started with growing food for themselves.  He understands the need for basic information – what and how to sow, what compost to use etc and is incredibly patient with complete beginners.  His passion for growing is infectious!”

What’s more, Mike has made links with many other groups in the Finsbury Park area – herbalists, growers, Transition Finsbury Park and the gardening project in Finsbury Park itself.  This has been great for the library too.

Mike has been tireless in his mission to share his food growing expertise with other people.  As well as the library workshops described by Nick Tranmer above, Mike has organised community events and supports people with mental health problems to enjoy the health benefits of growing food, tending plants and soil.

Congratulations to Mike for his award and recognition for all he has achieved.