Assistant, he leads the Southside Master Gardener Program. He always has the EMGs on his mind with ways they can better serve the community and the schools with programs. He works tirelessly and spends way more time doing for others than he does for himself.”
Halifax EMG coordinator named VCE employee of the month William “Bill” McCaleb has served as the EMG coordinator for Halifax for 21 years and was named VCE’s January employee of the month. Longtime Halifax EMG coordinator Bill McCaleb was recently honored as VCE’s January employee of the month--a well deserved honor for one of the longest serving EMG coordinators in the commonwealth! “I took the EMG course in early 1997 and began officially as the Coordinator on September 1, 1998 after a short two-month stint as ‘volunteer coordinator,’” said Bill. Bill was nominated for this honor by Rebekah Slabach, Halifax ANR agent, who said, “Bill is one of the hardest working ‘retired’ men you will ever meet. As an ANR Program
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“I have seen Bill take an hour to coach someone who has walked in to the Extension office with a question about a plant or tree,” said Slabach. “ I have also seen him work with plenty of novice producers with questions and problems with getting a garden or farm started. He not only directs the best resources for beginning the project, but he also follows up with dozens of helpful articles and snippets of advice.” Bill is also a passionate gardener himself. “Bill cares about the science of horticulture and always strives to provide accurate, timely information to citizens who bring in plants to identify. He loves growing things, has the best tomatoes in his neighborhood - and shares his passion with everyone he encounters,” said Slabach. Bill was also a founding member of the group that formed the Healthy Harvest Community Garden and was instrumental in its design and planning. “He contributed his years of agricultural experience toward the vision of planting a sustainable, mostly organic garden that would benefit the community with healthy vegetables,” said Slabach. “One of Bill’s signature qualities is his determination to “show up” no matter the time or day,” said Slabach. The EMG State Coordinator’s office extends our congratulations to Bill for this well deserved honor! •
