When Sandy Farber accepted her position as Master Gardener Coordinator at the
University of the District of Columbia, she was tasked to revitalize a program that
had lapsed. She has succeeded by reinventing the program and adding innovative projects through community outreach and education.

After revamping the curriculum, she re-introduced the Master Gardener Program (MGP) to the general DC community in an effort to educate residents on the benefits of sustainable horticultural practices. This program has both invigorated a sense of community and created an aesthetic appreciation of nature in the growing number of citizens who participated. Farber has certified over 100 master gardeners and leveraged their 7,000+ volunteer hours on projects throughout the city, saving the District approximately $130,000 in labor costs.

To further enhance the MGP , Farber obtained, through a USD A Renewable Resources Extension Act grant, $22,000 to instruct her volunteers on identifying systems of Sudden Oak Death, an escalating problem happening to many of the oak trees in the District. Her undertakings have even spread outside the city. Recently, her volunteers donated 25,000 bulbs to Hurricane Katrina-affected areas in Louisiana. Through her noteworthy efforts, Farber not only aims to beautify the city, but she also works toward building bridges to community members and encouraging their active role in sustaining their own local environment. Farber is commonly called to offer her expert opinion and advice by the local media, thereby spreading the message of her mission to educate the citizens of the District.

Farber has not only built a lasting foundation for the community’s visual appeal, she has also introduced good citizen skills to the District’s youth by instituting a Junior Master Gardeners Program. The Junior Master Gardeners Program trains and encourages elementary-aged students in grades 3-6, providing them with lifelong skills as well as a challenging enhancement to their science curriculum. One of the schools, M.V. Leckie Elementary School, uses the corps of volunteers and students Farber trained to maintain their September 11 memorial garden, which honors the teacher, student and two parents from the school who were killed in the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.

A DC Metro native, Farber credits her parents for instilling a sense of fairness when working with others, regardless of status. She believes her program is successful due to her strong belief in equal treatment of all people. Farber celebrates the fact that those who participate in her programs are from diverse backgrounds. She observes, “I am a people person. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Fair treatment of others from all education and socioeconomic backgrounds is the key to public service.”

In fact, her previous career, serving 11 years as a District Court Commissioner of Maryland, required a variety of judicial responsibilities and interactions with a diverse public. She eventually left this role but brought with her the public service skills she attained to begin a career that joined two of her loves - people and plants. She is truly one who loves her job.

Aside from gardening, Farber is an active swimmer and enjoys cycling in Rock Creek Park. With her parents, family, and friends, she celebrates the honor of receiving the Cafritz Award and appreciates this validation of her achievements.