Master Gardener David King to Receive ‘Spirit of Venice’ Award at Abbot Kinney Festival

The accolades for local Master Gardener David King keep on coming.

Just a few weeks ago, King was named honorary Los Angeles County Master Gardener; on Sept. 22 he was on hand to accept a on behalf of Venice High’s Learning Garden at the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition’s awards ceremony in Hawthorne; and on Sunday King will receive the “Spirit of Venice” Award at the Abbot Kinney Festival.

Spirit award winners are nominated by the community for their contributions to the heart and soul of Venice. The selection committee agreed unanimously to recognize King for his work. One quote from the community nominating form stated: “David is more than a community resource; he has devoted his life and work to creating a community around The Learning Garden, where he teaches, grows, shares his wisdom and brings to life the opportunity for people to put into practice the positive values that they believe in and that he inspires.”

On hearing he was to receive the award, King told Patch, “It is an honor to be recognized by the Abbot Kinney Festival Association with the “Spirit of Venice” Award. In accepting the award, I am keenly aware of the volunteers and countless supporters that have allowed me to continue to work at The Learning Garden. I accept the honor of this award knowing their energy and passion has impelled the garden forward for these last 10 years.”

Aside from his work at The Learning Garden, King is also the founder and chair of SLOLA: Seed Library of Los Angeles; one of only two honorary UCCE/Los Angeles County Master Gardener; a horticulture instructor through UCLA Extension; and an author, lecturer and expert teacher who provides low-cost organic gardening and seed saving classes throughout the year.

King will receive his award on the Andalusia Stage (across the street from Intelligentsia on Abbot Kinney) at 3:15 p.m. on Sun. Sept. 25.

The Learning Garden will host its annual Pesto Madness Fundraiser on Sat. Sept. 24 from 2 – 5 p.m. The fundraiser will feature a $10 luncheon of garden-grown, home made pesto pasta, and jars of pesto, which can be purchased for $8 each. Funds go to support The Learning Garden’s activities and operations.