A Tamaqua native has been named as the new coordinator for the Schuylkill County Master Gardener program offered by the Penn State University – Schuylkill Campus.

Steve Daderko is the new coordinator after having been a volunteer with the program since 2015. His primary objective for 2019 is the recruitment of new volunteers.

The son of the late Steve and Eleanor Daderko is a 1969 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and earned an engineering degree from Penn State University.

His 26-year career in engineering may seem like the total opposite of his new career in consumer horticulture, but Daderko doesn’t agree.

“Similar skill sets are needed to coordinate projects, such as those from the Penn State College of Ag Sciences parent organization, to organizing a crew of volunteer master gardeners, to completing specific projects, such as spotted lanternfly education,” said Daderko.

His duties will include budgeting, reporting volunteer efforts/impacts and orchestrating basic training for newcomers.

Daderko’s interest in gardening began in childhood, thanks to his Lithuanian grandmother. In addition to his love of gardening and his organizational and administrative skills, he enjoys working with the public.

His office is located at 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville. He expects to be in the office most weekdays between 9 a.m. and noon.

He may also be reached by calling 570-622-4225, ext.17, or by emailing sjd5879@psu.edu.