JayDee Gunnell
In his few years with Extension, JayDee Gunnell has had major impact on the horticulture program in Davis County and Utah in general. JayDee has provided leadership to a ever -increasing large Master Gardener program in Davis County. In 2007 and 2008 alone he gave 106 presentations to over 2,500 participants related to horticulture for Master Gardener volunteers as well as to the public. He is considered an expert in his field and is constantly invited to give presentations not only in Davis County and beyond.
In partnership with Jerry Goodspeed and Richard Anderson, JayDee co-created a regional horticulture monthly e-newsletter sent to 3000 subscribers. The newsletter has seasonal articles that help the home gardener become better acquainted with sustainable landscape practices and also highlights activities at two USU facilities (Utah Botanical Center and Ogden Botanical Center).
Jay Dee initiated, designed, and planted a demonstrational tree arboretum located at the Utah Botanical Center in Kaysville. The arboretum encompasses three different hydro zones or water use areas with respective tree species. The arboretum showcased traditional landscape trees, which will transition to trees which utilize less water and native trees and will as an important display and teaching area for the Horticulture Agents along the Wasatch Front. JayDee’s countless hours spent in development of this arboretum which, in time, will prove to be a major showcase for Utah State University.
JayDee has assisted in developing a community garden for the Francis Peak low-income apartments in Kaysville, providing low-income families with fresh vegetables during the summer. He has formed relationships of trust with all of the nurseries in Davis County, along with many professionals within the green industry. They look to him for new cutting edge information and consider him a non-biased source of information. In the area of scholarship JayDee has excelled. He has published two journal articles, given two national presentations, written five fact sheets, and received over $75,00 in grant funding. Epsilon Sigma Phi is honored to recognize JayDee for his outstanding accomplishments and service to USU Extension.