Extension Master Gardener Volunteer of Lenoir County presented with the NC Governor’s Volunteer Service Award

Paige Petticrew, Consumer Horticulture Extension Agent in Lenoir County, was honored to nominate Lenoir County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) Jeannie Holmes and Debbie Jones for the NC Governor’s Volunteer Service Award earlier this year. Both Jeannie and Debbie truly embody the spirit of the award through their dedication, leadership, and service to the community, making the nomination process an easy decision. Paige was even more excited to learn in April that both Jeannie and Debbie had been selected to receive the award.

During the EMGV monthly meeting in April, Paige informed the group that their attendance would be needed at the May Lenoir County Commissioners Meeting. She shared that the Children’s Garden program and the Council on Aging horticulture program would be highlighted during the meeting. Jeannie, chair of the Children’s Garden program, and Debbie, chair of the Council on Aging program, were asked to prepare brief summaries about their respective programs and outreach efforts.

Little did they know that during the Lenoir County Commissioners Meeting, Paige, alongside Linda Rouse Sutton, Chairman of the Lenoir County Commissioners, would surprise them by presenting each of them with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for Lenoir County.

Surrounded by family members, fellow EMGVs, and representatives from the Lenoir County Council on Aging, Inc., Jeannie and Debbie humbly and excitedly accepted their awards. Both recipients were genuinely surprised and grateful for the recognition. During the meeting, each also had the opportunity to share information about the programs they lead and the impact those programs have within the community.

To learn more about the volunteer service and community impact of these outstanding individuals, continue reading below.

Jeannie Holmes

Although Jeannie has been officially certified in the Extension Master Gardener program for seven years, she has dedicated more than 20 years of volunteer service to the organization, demonstrating an extraordinary level of loyalty, leadership, and passion for Extension’s mission.

Jeannie currently serves as the committee chair for the Children’s Garden and the long-standing Pumpkin Day event, which has been held for over 15 years as a free outreach program for elementary-aged youth. Pumpkin Day combines the excitement of a fall festival with meaningful educational experiences through hands-on horticulture-based crafts and learning stations centered on seasonal gardening concepts. Through her thoughtful planning, volunteer coordination, and educational leadership, hundreds of children each year are introduced to gardening, nutrition, and environmental stewardship in an engaging and memorable way.

In 2025 alone, Jeannie contributed 418.75 hours of volunteer service, with 245.25 hours devoted specifically to the Children’s Garden. Her dedication and hands-on leadership were instrumental in relocating and expanding the Children’s Garden into a more accessible and dynamic educational space with additional teaching stations, raised beds, and youth-focused programming. Her work continues to provide valuable outdoor learning opportunities for youth throughout Lenoir County, many of whom may not otherwise have access to gardening education or experiences with fresh food production.

Beyond the Children’s Garden, Jeannie remains deeply involved in numerous Extension outreach efforts, fundraisers, and community events. She consistently offers support wherever needed and encourages collaboration among volunteers, helping strengthen the entire Extension Master Gardener program.

Jeannie is also deeply committed to lifelong learning and ensuring the information she shares remains research-based and current. In 2025, she completed 30 hours of continuing education through seminars, workshops, and horticultural publications. Her expertise and the success of the Children’s Garden program have led to multiple invitations to present at NC State Extension events, where she has shared program development ideas, youth engagement strategies, and the value of experiential horticulture education with audiences across the state. She is also frequently invited to speak to local civic groups and community organizations to share her horticultural knowledge and passion for education.

One of Jeannie’s greatest strengths is her leadership style, which is rooted in teamwork, humility, and service. While she leads major initiatives, she is always willing to assist with any task and is widely recognized as a dependable, encouraging, and supportive volunteer. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and genuine care for others create a welcoming environment that inspires fellow volunteers and contributes to the long-term success of the Extension Master Gardener program in Lenoir County.

Outside of Extension, Jeannie’s volunteer spirit continues throughout the community. She is an active church member who regularly participates in outreach and service projects. She also leads her neighborhood hospitality committee, helping welcome new residents and organizing support for families during times of celebration and hardship alike. In addition, she actively supports local businesses, community events, arts organizations, and youth initiatives, strengthening connections across the community through her kindness and generosity.

Jeannie Holmes exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism through her compassion, leadership, dedication to education, and unwavering commitment to serving others. Her lasting impact on youth education, horticultural outreach, and community engagement has made her an invaluable asset to the Extension Master Gardener program and to the broader Lenoir County community. Congratulations to Jeannie on this well-deserved recognition and award.

Debbie Jones

Certified as an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer for the past five years, Debbie consistently demonstrates the mission of NC State Extension through meaningful horticulture education and community outreach. Although her reported volunteer hours exceed 372 hours, her actual service extends far beyond that as she dedicates countless hours each year to horticulture education, garden development, and community engagement efforts across Lenoir County.

One of Debbie’s most significant contributions is her weekly volunteer work with Hope Preparatory School, where she teaches horticulture-based lessons to students across all grade levels. She has helped establish and maintain educational garden spaces on campus, including themed raised beds and a thriving pollinator patch. These gardens serve as living classrooms where students learn about plant science, environmental stewardship, nutrition, and sustainability through hands-on experiences.

Drawing from her background as a retired educator, including many years teaching students with special needs, Debbie creates engaging and adaptable lessons that allow all students to participate and succeed. Over the past year, she expanded the curriculum to include structured planting methods while integrating literacy and history into garden-based learning, strengthening cross-curricular connections for students.

In addition to her youth outreach efforts, Debbie was instrumental in creating a new adult horticulture outreach program for the Extension Master Gardener Program in Lenoir County, where she now serves as committee chair. She began volunteering monthly at the Lenoir County Council on Aging by providing horticulture lessons, hands-on activities, nutrition education, and gardening demonstrations for senior participants. What started as an individual effort has grown into a successful monthly program that has now served the community for more than two years.

Debbie’s leadership within the Extension Master Gardener Program is marked by initiative, reliability, and collaboration. She not only volunteers her time, but also develops programs, mentors fellow volunteers, and helps expand the visibility and impact of Extension outreach throughout the community.

Beyond Extension, Debbie’s lifelong dedication to service is reflected through her church and community involvement. A longtime member of First Baptist Church in Kinston, she serves as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, church organist, and leader of Women on Mission. She has also dedicated many years to youth leadership through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, helping guide and mentor young people in the community.

Debbie Jones embodies the true spirit of Extension through her compassion, educational leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving others. Her work has created lasting and meaningful change throughout Lenoir County. Congratulations to Debbie on this well-deserved recognition and award.

For more information on the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and programs offered through North Carolina Cooperative Extension, reach out to Paige Petticrew at plherrin@ncsu.edu

Community members are encouraged visit the Children’s Garden at 2612 W. Vernon Ave Kinston, NC 28504!

The EMGV program at the Council on Aging is on the third Friday of each month. Contact the Council on Aging for more information on how to participate in their programs.

Written by: Paige Petticrew