The Busy Bee by: Gabrielle Sanderson
Chesterfield Master Gardener is recognized for his impact on the community, his Extension Master Gardener program.
passion for youth education, and his boundless dedication to serving the
Elizabeth Andrew, author of “A Woman’s Work is Never Done”, once said that “volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” Rick McCormick, an Extension Master Gardener in Chesterfield County, joined the program in 2011 and has been volunteering since. Because he traveled out of his community as a consultant for more than a decade, he explains that becoming an Extension Master Gardener was an opportunity to invest a long-term interest in gardening and give it back to the community. McCormick is a busy bee and a man of many talents. He works with local schools, frequently provides his carpentry skills for Chesterfield County, and is an outstanding leader and educator in his community. McCormick’s ambition to volunteer is motivated
by his desire to improve the quality of life for his community and his overwhelming elation to work in the capacity of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program. Ashley Moulton, the Extension Master Gardener Coordinator of Chesterfield County, says that “at the heart of this is his passion for sharing the joy and wonders of gardening to youth, and his pleasure in teaching others about the value of pollinators and about solid and sustainable land practices.” Rick will readily jump at any opportunity to work hand in hand with local schools and to serve the youth and adults of his local community. He has boundless knowledge about beekeeping that he shares with Chesterfield County Libraries, local garden clubs, and civic groups. “Twice a month he volunteers time to
