Meet a Master Gardener

Welcome to our “Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer” blog series, where we spotlight the dedicated individuals who make a significant impact in our community through their passion for horticulture and education. Karen Clark is a dedicated Master Gardener Volunteer with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Sarasota County. Since relocating from Michigan to Englewood, Florida, in 2009, Karen has been deeply involved in local horticultural initiatives. She became a Master Gardener Volunteer in 2020, bringing her passion for gardening and community engagement to the forefront.

Tucked into Karen Clark’s gardening story is the telling of her invitations to the Oscars, collaborating on the screenplay for the movie Top Gun, and, of course, meeting Tom Cruise. The sensibility that Karen brought to her success in Hollywood is reflected in her successful early apple and pear orchards and produce gardens, and later, her flowerbeds and invitation only “pot” parties. Karen along with Janis Alberti ‘22 have created a Gardening in Small Spaces Demonstration Garden at the Sarasota County Elsie Quirk Library. 

Tell us something about yourself, and what sparked your interest in gardening

Wisconsin is where I spent my formative years. My parents were dairy farm folk who lived through WWI and the depression, eking out a living on my father’s family’s farm.  Dad became an electrician, and my parents moved to Milwaukee.  My uncle still lived on the farm, and my folks and I spent most weekends there helping with chores.  Mom never missed a chance to harvest something and turn it into something yummy for dinner. 

My husband and I lived in the Milwaukee area for the first three years of marriage. My father-in-law owned a business in Lansing, Michigan.  He was having serious health issues, and asked if my hubby would join him in the business.  So, we packed up our newborn baby girl and all our earthly possessions and moved to the other side of Lake Michigan. We bought an old farmhouse on two acres and that’s where I cut my teeth on gardening.  There was an apple and pear orchard on our property and plenty of room for raising fresh produce for our table.  

I was a stay-at-home mom until our youngest was in middle school.  In my prior life I had a background in medical technology.

That background opened an opportunity to work in the clinic at General Motors Oldsmobile Division in Lansing, Michigan.  Word processing was just beginning to be used there and I decided to take a 13-week course in word processing. I could then enter information into these new-fangled computers.  Well, one day in the clinic the telephone rang, and it was for me.  The man on the other end of the line introduced himself.  He said that he was calling from Universal Studios in Hollywood.  “Uh huh” I said.  He was telling the truth, and “long story short”, I was hired away from the life in medical technology to a new career working alongside a Michigan State University professor—who just happened to write screenplays.  My first project with him: Top Gun.  And the hits kept coming.  Sadly, the professor passed away in 2000.

I always enjoyed planting and sowing vegetables, and harvesting, canning, and freezing fruit.  When we sold the country place and moved to the city, I turned my eyes to flowers.  My friends and I would have “pot” parties. We each would buy a certain color flower flat; select a planter for our springtime creation; then fill the planter with a selection of plants. That tradition continues.  I just received my invitation for this year’s event.  There are now up to 100 gals participating.   

Tell us about your Master Gardener Volunteer projects

I became an MGV in 2020.  My husband and I had moved to Florida full time in 2009.  When I joined the Lemon Bay Woman’s Club, I volunteered to take care of the flowerbeds.  Well, that was a struggle.  The soil, the heat, the everything is so different from Michigan.  “Up North” plants were not working well; so, I asked to have someone work with me. This new gal in the Club, Marie Bremerkamp ‘20, stepped up.  We worked well together.  Still do.  Marie and I were accepted into the 2020 MGV class.  What a life changer.  I no longer like gardening!  I love gardening!   

An inviting path meanders through the Elsie Quirk Reading Garden.

For those inspired by Karen’s story and interested in deepening their horticultural knowledge, the UF/IFAS Extension in Sarasota County offers a wealth of resources. The Master Gardener Volunteer program provides comprehensive training and opportunities to contribute to local gardening initiatives. Additionally, the Plant Clinic offers expert advice on pest and plant identification, lawn and garden solutions, and soil and irrigation water testing. These services are available in person, by phone, and via email, ensuring accessible support for all gardening enthusiasts.

By engaging with these resources, individuals can enhance their gardening skills, contribute to sustainable practices, and become active participants in Sarasota County’s vibrant gardening community.

Karen Clark co-authored this post, supplying written answers for questions posed by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.

5