Golden Plains Area Extension Horticulture Agent Linda Langelo has been awarded the Lois Woodward Paul Memorial Award for outstanding horticulture achievements in her horticulture career.

The award is given by the Professional Gardener Program started by Pierre DuPont, the founder and creator of Longwood Gardens. The alumni of the program vote on nominees to decide who should receive the award based on their horticulture achievements.

The Executive Director, Patti Tingle, of the Holly Foundation located in Salisbury, Md., nominated Linda for the award. Here is some of what she had to share with the alumni:

"Known to me for over 30 years, Linda Langelo is an exceptional example of who has devoted their life interest and career to making the field of horticulture accessible to others. I first became acquainted with Linda when she volunteered her time to educate youth and adults with physical disabilities and cognitive delays in gaining hands-on experience and understanding of the world of plants and their care. She shared freely and patiently with each and later developed a Landscape Manual for our facilities with a one-acre therapeutic garden before relocating out of the State - a great loss to our programs."

"In addition, Linda has volunteered on various boards including the American Community Garden Association where she was active in raising funds and helping to increase membership; Prairie Family Resource Center where she provided oversight on grant writing to increase their success; Phillips County Arts Council which implemented a fund raiser that included garden tours; Holly Foundation with technical assistance and training on garden care, and she volunteered in the community gardens she helped implement with Colorado Master Gardeners across the Golden Plains Area to engage various organizations, which resulted in her receiving the Community Engagement Award from the CEO of State University Extension in 2013."

Currently, Linda engages with people through multiple media platforms. She created "Garden the Plains" Website and Facebook Page with assistance from Colorado Master Gardeners, and actively contributes through personal guidance and support for those facing horticultural challenges via email. She is the trainer of Golden Plains Area Master Gardeners and the author of a garden column in a local newspaper entitled The Relentless Gardener.

In her free time she is an advocate in support of learning. Linda is nearing the completion of her first book on the many mysteries of plants.