Local Master Gardener John Taylor has been recognized for his volunteer efforts, earning the Bronze Star Award through the Alabama Master Gardener Association’s Reach for the Stars Program.
Taylor logged 194 volunteer hours in 2025, placing him within the 100 to 299 hours required for the Bronze Star distinction. The award honors Master Gardeners who support the Alabama Cooperative Extension System through education and community outreach.
“It’s a volunteer service recognition program designed to highlight those who are educating and improving their communities,” said Linda Jarzyniecki, Butler County Master Gardener President. “It also encourages volunteers to track their hours, which is important because that’s how Extension programs demonstrate participation and it’s how they receive funding… by showing that people are involved and interested.”
Jarzyniecki said Taylor stood out not only for his hours, but for his leadership and initiative.
“He really has been one of the best Master Gardener volunteers I have ever met,” Jarzyniecki said. “He is so involved, dedicated and just wants to help people.”
Much of Taylor’s time was spent leading the Butler County Jail kitchen garden project, where he works alongside inmates to plant and maintain crops.
“That project is very time-intensive because of the size of the garden and the labor involved,” Taylor said. “A lot of the work is done by inmates, but there’s a process to that and limits on their time.”
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