The Northport Veteran's Administration (VA) Medical Center has been a locus of Master Gardening activity thanks to the volunteer efforts of Michael Gornicki. After completing his Master Gardener training in 2019, Mike, and a team of Master Gardeners, have added several garden bed areas including the restoration of a 1,700 square foot garden. In addition, Mike has been working one-on-one alongside veterans engaged in gardening-related recreational therapy at the VA.

At home, Mike grows both vegetables and flowers started by seed in the winter. Although his specialty has been container gardening, Mike’s latest home project is an English cottage-style garden. This will be a 225 square foot bed along his front walk. Pollinator, butterfly and hummingbird-friendly natives will be represented as he gained an appreciation of the key role of these type plants from his MG training. Mike also credits the Master Gardener program with making many new gardener friends along the way.

This resident of Fort Salonga thanks his grandparents who were dedicated gardeners with a greenhouse for his gardening passion early on. Michael successfully juggles his volunteer efforts with his full time job as an auditor for the American Museum of Natural History in NYC.