pathways...4 amga endowment karin carmichael, chair at the may 2, 2017, amga annual usiness meeting,...

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1 LOOK WHAT’S INSIDE Page 2 AC Chair, AMGA Awards, Just A Note Page 3 AMGA New Members At Large Page 4 AMGA Endowment Page 5 AMGA Fundraising Page 6 AMGA Nominang, AMGA Records And Retenon, AMGA Treasurer Page 7 Harvest For Health Page 8 Capital City CEU Opp Page 9 AMGA Fall Seminar Page 10 AMGA Fall Seminar Page 11—24 Happenings AMGA Website alabamamg.org AMGA PRESIDENT CATHARINE MADDOX-CCMGA Hello my fellow gardeners, Spring is here, and the world is becoming more beauful each day… and hoer! It is such a busy me for gardeners, but we are performing the tasks that will produce lovely and desirable results in the future. I am enjoying my Hydrangeas, Vitex Lilac trees, Gloriosa Lilies, Blood Lilies, and Black and Blue Salvia among other plants in bloom currently. The hummingbirds and buerflies are also enjoying some of them. I am truly grateful to have been elected as your new President for the Alabama Master Gardeners Associaon, and I am humbled by your vote of confidence. Since becoming a Master Gardener, I have made some wonderful friends and enjoyed many happy mes on volunteer projects. I think that one of the most valuable benefits of Master Gardening is that you get to meet the nicest people. I look forward to geng to know more of you even beer. I congratulate the Master Gardeners of North Alabama for successfully hosng the 2017 AMGA Conference and Business Meeng. I am sure that all who aended gained new knowledge and enjoyed the fellowship of other Master Gardeners from across the state. Being present to see well-deserved award winners announced is always a highlight of the banquet, and this was no excepon. It is always a treat to visit Huntsville, and MGNA made it an especially beneficial visit. Thank you to all who helped to make this a wonderful conference. I look forward to the 2018 conference in Birmingham. You have elected an outstanding group of officers and board members to work with me over the next two years, and I thank you. Having presided over my first board meeng yesterday, I am even more encouraged that this group and I will be able to successfully support and guide AMGA and all our local MGAs in performing our volunteer funcons and responsibilies. Happy Gardening, Summer 2017 PATHWAYS

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1

LOOK WHAT’S

INSIDE

Page 2 AC Chair, AMGA Awards, Just A Note Page 3 AMGA New Members At Large Page 4 AMGA Endowment Page 5 AMGA Fundraising Page 6 AMGA Nominating, AMGA Records And Retention, AMGA Treasurer Page 7 Harvest For Health Page 8 Capital City CEU Opp Page 9 AMGA Fall Seminar Page 10 AMGA Fall Seminar Page 11—24 Happenings

AMGA Website

alabamamg.org

AMGA PRESIDENT CATHARINE MADDOX-CCMGA

Hello my fellow gardeners, Spring is here, and the world is becoming more beautiful each day…and hotter! It is such a busy time for gardeners, but we are performing the tasks that will produce lovely and desirable results in the future. I am enjoying my Hydrangeas, Vitex Lilac trees, Gloriosa Lilies, Blood Lilies, and Black and Blue Salvia among other plants in bloom currently. The hummingbirds and butterflies are also enjoying some of them. I am truly grateful to have been elected as your new President for the Alabama Master Gardeners Association, and I am humbled by your vote of confidence. Since becoming a Master Gardener, I have made some wonderful friends and enjoyed many happy times on volunteer projects. I think that one of the most valuable benefits of Master Gardening is that you get to

meet the nicest people. I look forward to getting to know more of you even better. I congratulate the Master Gardeners of North Alabama for successfully hosting the 2017 AMGA Conference and Business Meeting. I am sure that all who attended gained new knowledge and enjoyed the fellowship of other Master Gardeners from across the state. Being present to see well-deserved award winners announced is always a highlight of the banquet, and this was no exception. It is always a treat to visit Huntsville, and MGNA made it an especially beneficial visit. Thank you to all who helped to make this a wonderful conference. I look forward to the 2018 conference in Birmingham. You have elected an outstanding group of officers and board members to work with me over the next two years, and I thank you. Having presided over my first board meeting yesterday, I am even more encouraged that this group and I will be able to successfully support and guide AMGA and all our local MGAs in performing our volunteer functions and responsibilities. Happy Gardening,

Summer 2017

PATHWAYS

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AC CHAIR Ann Scharko

After many rescheduling issues, the Advisory Council meeting was held on May 16, 2017, at Petals from the Past - every Master Gardener's dream place! Many thanks go to Jason Powell for allowing us the use of his facilities. Jason gave us a brief history of Petals and invited all to shop. He

was available to answer any questions. Cathy Maddox was introduced as the AMGA President. The meeting continued with avid discussions on multiple topics from the use of fundraising monies to how local Master Gardener Associations keep contact with their members. Kerry Smith gave an ACES report. The next AC meeting is scheduled for August 1, 2017, with the location to be determined.

AMGA AWARDS Devonne Ellis

Our statewide AMGA awards were presented at the AMGA Conference in Huntsville. Winners, based on AMGA Awards criteria, are as follows: Top Hours of The Year: Ann Vaughn of Morgan County was recognized for a total of 1,893 volunteer hours during 2016. Outstanding Newsletter: The winning submission for outstanding newsletter category 60 AMGA members and below was Marshall County Master Gardeners' We Grow Stuff. The winning submission for category outstanding newsletter 61 AMGA members and above was Wiregrass Master Gardeners' The Garden Plot. Jean Lee Lifetime Hours: Alice Lawler, Master Gardeners of North Alabama, was awarded a Lifetime AMGA Membership, and received a

Lifetime Badge for volunteering 8,214 Lifetime Hours since becoming a Master Gardener in 1998. The Gary Murray Outstanding Service and Dedication Award: Dan Porch, nominated by Blount County Master Gardeners. Mary Lou McNabb Alabama Master Gardener of the Year Award: Jane Trawick was the recipient of this award. She was nominated by Mobile County Master Gardeners. Jane was awarded a Lifetime AMGA Membership and received a Lifetime Badge. Twenty associations had members who qualified for Reach for the Stars Advanced Badges and Stars: 19 Gold, 14 Platinum, two Lifetime; eight Ruby, three Emerald, and two Diamond. In January we hope to see more associations sending in submissions for awards. Awards are a great way to honor those who give their time to Master Gardeners.

Just a Note: Thanks to everyone who submitted an article for the summer issue of Pathways ... AMGA officers, board members, committee chairs, and local associations. It is always exciting to learn what MGs across Alabama have been doing, and what they have planned for the upcoming months. If your association isn't in Happenings this issue, I hope it will be there in the fall. If your association didn't have an article in this issue, it might be that I haven't received updated contact information. If you didn't receive the reminder, please send the necessary information so I can send you the next deadline reminder. Contributors are as much a part of the newsletter team as Patricia Patty, Carolyn Wade and I are. We can't do it without your input and support. –Patricia Peoples

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AMGA NEW MEMBERS at LARGE Myra Lassere

Meet the New Directors (Members at Large) that were voted on and accepted by the AMGA BOD on June 6, 2017. Jim

Allen from Morgan County and Frieda Romanchuk from Baldwin County will serve out the terms (2017-2019) of Michael

Thomason (Vice President) and Genie Schneider (Treasurer) who became elected officers May 2, 2017.

Jim Allen is Vice President of

Morgan County Master Gardeners

Association and former President. He

co-chaired the fall MCMGA horticulture

exhibition. He has served as MCMGA

representative on the Advisory Council.

Other roles include Vice President of

public relations at Alabama Farmers’

Cooperative, Editor of The Cooperative Farming News, and

Co-Host and Field Reporter for the TV show “Simply

Southern.” He is a member of the Decatur Rotary Club, Vice

Chair/Board member Morgan County/Decatur Farmers

Market, Advisory member AL Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Association, Board member Alabama People Against Litter

in My State, Board member and Past President Alabama

Council of Cooperatives, Board member of Alabama Future

Farmers of America Foundation, Alabama’s Farm City

Council, Alabama Agribusiness Council, and Auburn

Agriculture Partnership Council. Jim represented AFC at the

2014 AMGA conference in Baldwin County. He has won

various AG industry awards. He has spoken on succulents

and tropicals he grows. He collates gardening to-do lists for

specific USDA zones. Jim has given garden tours answering

gardening questions, explaining techniques, demonstrates

hand tools, shares his composting techniques, and French

double digging method of gardening. He was certified in

2009.

Frieda Romanchuk hails from

Baldwin County. She was certified in

2006 as a Master Gardener. She

immediately began representing BCMG

on the Advisory Council (2007-2017).

She served on the Advisory Council SOP

committee, rewriting many of the SOPs.

She dedicated many years (2010-2014) to planning the

AMGA Conference serving as Chairman. Frieda has served

on the City of Daphne Beautification Project. She continues

to author monthly articles for Timber Creek Living

Magazine and has written many articles for BCMG’s

Grassroots, and AMGA Pathways. Frieda’s leadership roles

in other organizations include serving on the City of

Daphne’s sign ordinance revision overhaul committee and

planning annual meetings for her spouse’s employer. She

has received many Busy Bee awards from BCMG and

received the Leadership Award from Scenic Alabama for

work accomplished with Highway signs and trees being

retained.

The Assistant Treasurer’s position has

been filled by Pat Farmer from Chilton

County to was appointed by President

Cathy Maddox. Pat was certified in

2010 in Chilton County. Her leadership

roles in CCMGA include serving as

Secretary (2011-2012),

Vice-President (2013-2014), President

(2015-2016), and Treasurer (2017). She

is currently serving as Co -Chair of AMGA 2019 Conference

(and is responsible for Finances). Pat has also served as

Co-Chair of the CCMGA Demonstration Garden in 2011.

Her leadership roles in other organizations are as follows:

Certified 4-H leader in Chick Chain, a member of the Chilton

Natural Resource Council, and Chilton County Cooperative

Extension Advisory Board. Pat instructs fourth and fifth

grades in Chilton and Autauga Counties on water cycles and

why it matters. She had responsibilities for budgets/sales/

operations in over four states as a General Manager.

Awards Pat has won include CCMGA Gardener of the Year

2016 and Anderson News Company Employee of The year

1996.

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AMGA ENDOWMENT Karin Carmichael, Chair

At the May 2, 2017, AMGA Annual Business Meeting, Cathy Canant announced that the AMGA Undergraduate Endowment balance remained at $100,112 and gave the report below. AMGA awarded four scholarships for the 2016 - 2017 academic year to the following Auburn undergraduates: Abby Bruce, a senior from Gulf Shores; Amanda Dukes, a junior from Auburn; Augusta Thurmond, a senior from Auburn; and Maggie McCollum, a senior from Auburn. The Graduate Endowment reached the funding requirement since last year’s conference, and the balance stands at $38,228. Starting with the 2016 - 2017 academic year, AMGA awarded its first Graduate Student scholarship to Sydney Holmes. Sydney is in the Certificate of Public Horticulture

Program. Her Master Research is “the study of temperature effects on hydroponically grown lettuce.” Sydney is currently Interning with Kerry Smith until her graduation in August. Associations that made contributions to the 2016 -2017 Graduate Endowment were: Autauga County MGA, Central Alabama MGA, Chilton County MGA, Coffee County MGA, East Central Ala MGA, Master Gardeners of North Alabama, Mobile County MGA, Morgan County MGA, Shoals MGA, and Wiregrass MGA. Other contributions to the Graduate Endowment were given in memory of the following: Wayne Van Landingham, Brenda Armstrong, and Pat Butler. All contributions made since the 2017 AMGA Conference will be announced at the 2018 AMGA Conference. When making a contribution, please mail it to the AMGA Treasurer, Genie Schneider, at P.O. Box 9785, Mobile, AL 36691.

May 3 - 5, 2018

Birmingham

Birmingham skyline, sketched by Gerald Smith, June 22, 2017, given to me to use in the Summer edition of Pathways.

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AMGA FUNDRAISING Ann Vaughn

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND THANKS TO OUR 2017 CONFERENCE SPONSORS, VENDORS, ADVERTISERS, DONORS AND SUPPORTERS

CONFERENCE SPONSORS Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) Bonnie Plants Jerry Damson Lockheed Martin MarMac Real Estate Master Gardeners of North Ala-bama Morgan County MGA

CONFERENCE VENDORS Beyond the Garden Gate Bonnie Plants Broken Star Workshop Eagles Roost Herb Farm Fern Ridge Farms Fulgham's, Inc. Miss Elaineous Baskets Retriever Soapworks Rusty Birds Sweet Grown Alabama Farms The Funny Farm The Olive Fruit The Papercrete Potter The Rose Gardener The Sharp Edge Wigginton Pottery

CONFERENCE ADVERTISERS Alabama A & M University Alabama Farmers Cooperative ALFA Bagwell Chiropractic Bonnie Plants

Dottye Pierce Healthsource Chiropractic Lewter Hardware Madison City MarMac Real Estate Master Gardeners of North Ala-bama Niche Gardens Osher Lifelong Learning Institute ReMax Realty Riverton Nursery

CONFERENCE DONORS Across the Pond Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Bennett Nurseries Brooks and Collier Burpee Seeds Calhoun Community College Chel’Den’s Chelsea Green Publishing Costco Crystal Springs Water C.T. Garvin Feed and Seed David Austin Roses Gempler’s General Joe Wheeler Home GreenPrints Haley’s Flooring and Interiors Hannah’s Lawn and Landscape Home Depot (Madison, North Parkway, and South Parkway stores) Huntsville Botanical Garden Huntsville Orchid Society Indian Creek Nursery Lady Bug Brand

Lewter Hardware Lowe’s (Hampton Cove, Madison, North Parkway, and South Park-way stores) Madison Animal Care Hospital Milorganite Niche Gardens Orbix Hot Glass Osmocote Rain Chains Retriever Soapworks Sleepy Owl Herb Farm Smart Pots/Hi Caliper Growing Southeastern Salvage Sugar Magnolia’s Sun Precautions Sweet Grown Alabama Farms Tec Labs Terramé Hair Salon Timber Press Time Inc. Books Trade-Fair Marketplace

CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS Deann's Art Studio EarthTouch Gardens Humble Heart Farms Jac Win Design Lularoe© Shelly's Girls McQueen’s Tupperware© Storage Solutions Nascent Pottery Pampered Chef© by Angie Eakes Steeped Tea© Trade-Fair Marketplace Trigreen Equipment

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AMGA NOMINATING COMMITTEE— SEARCHING FOR NOMINEES Myra Lassere

The AMGA Nominating Committee is in the process of accepting recommendations to fill three positions on the Board of Directors and one on the Nominating Committee. These vacancies will be filled at the Annual Conference to be held in Birmingham May 2018, but nominees must be announced in the Winter Garden Pathways. We are looking for candidates with outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to the Master Gardener program. Candidates must be willing to attend quarterly meetings, participate in committee activities, and travel at personal expense. Members at Large serve three-year terms, and Nominating Committee members serve two-year terms. Election of AMGA Board of Directors and

Nominating Committee members is a very important component of our state association and its success. The Nominating Committee needs your input ASAP. Please contact any member of the committee. Thanks for your participation! Myra Lassere – (Chair) Email: [email protected] 251-895-5059 Fletcher Harvey – Email: [email protected] H 205-879-4228 C 205-527-7626 Phil Gatlin – Email: [email protected] H 256-747-3385 C 256-339-1756 (Prefer)

AMGA RECORDS AND RETENTION Michael Thomason

The Committee completed the final review of the “Box” of AMGA documents and delivered them to Access Information Protected in Montgomery on May 18, 2017, for digital processing.

On June 6, 2017, we received the completed archived documents on our external hard drive and the return of the “Box.” We are in the process of reviewing the archived documents on the external hard drive. Mission Complete!!!!!

AMGA TREASURER Genie Schneider

With the June board meeting, we officially made the transition from Roger Clark to me as Treasurer. I have worked with Roger as Assistant Treasurer for the last year and would like to thank him for all the help he has given me in preparing to assume the treasurer’s position. I look forward to fulfilling this role and working with all of you for the next two years. Also, at the AMGA Board meeting in June, Pat Farmer from

Chilton County was appointed as our Assistant Treasurer. Please help me welcome Pat into this position. After meeting Pat, I know that we will enjoy working together in these roles. You can contact me at: Genie Schneider PO Box 9785 Mobile, Al 36691 [email protected] My phone number is 251-259-8150

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H4H Cohort Schedule

HARVEST FOR HEALTH IS GROWING Renee Thompson

The Harvest for Health program continues to Grow. First-time gardens are popping up all across Alabama thanks to our Alabama Master Gardeners. Cancer survivors, who are 65 years or older, are beginning to learn the benefits of gardening through the Harvest for Health program alongside their Master Gardener. Harvest for Health is a gardening intervention program for cancer survivors through UAB and ACES funded by the National Institute of Health. Through these home gardens, studies have shown promising results due to increased fruit and vegetable intake and increased physical activity. Getting involved with this project could make a “world of difference for you as a Master Gardener and the cancer survivor.” A program like Harvest for Health challenges you to grow, to learn more, and in the process to give more. One of the most exciting things I have learned about the Master Gardener community is the discovery that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. This life changing program will continue through August 2021. There will be many opportunities for you as a Master Gardener to be involved in a program that benefits both the mentors and the participants.

Harvest for Health updates: Cohort 1 started in February 2017 with the spring garden and is off to a wonderful start. We have 30 Master Gardeners mentoring in the following counties: Jefferson, Blount, Calhoun, Cullman, St. Clair, Tuscaloosa, and Walker alongside 20 cancer survivors. One of our current Master Gardeners writes, “It is going to be a wonderful year gardening with my new friend.” Cohort 2 started in April 2017 with the summer garden and is also off to a wonderful start. We have 21 Master Gardeners mentoring in the following counties in Montgomery, Chilton, Shelby, and Autauga Counties alongside 11 cancer survivors. One of our current Master Gardeners said that she enjoys the role of teaching and in the process watching someone develop the love of gardening. Cohort 3 starts in August 2017 in Mobile, and Baldwin County. So many stories and adventures await in the following Cohorts. Please look at the list below to see when we will be coming to your county. If you are interested in learning more about the Harvest for Health program, please contact Renée Thompson at [email protected].

Cohort 1: Jeff, Calhoun, St. Clair, Blount, Tusc., Cullman, Walker Feb. 15, 2017-Feb. 2018 (1st year) Feb. 15, 2018- Feb. 2019 (2nd year) Cohort 2: Montgomery-North, Chilton, Shelby, Autauga Apr. 15, 2017-Apr 2018 (1st year ) Apr 15, 2018-Apr 2019 (2nd year) Cohort 3: Mobile, Baldwin Aug 15, 2017-Aug 2018 (1st year) Aug 15, 2018-Aug 2019(2nd year) Cohort 4: Madison, Marshall, Limestone, Morgan, Lauderdale, Jackson, Dekalb, Cherokee, Etowah Feb 15, 2018-Feb 2019 (1st year) Feb 15, 2019-Feb 2020 (2nd year) Cohort 5: Montgomery-East, Elmore, Lee, Tallapoosa,

Randolph Apr 15, 2018-Apr 2019 (1st year) Apr 15, 2019-Apr 2020 (2nd year) Cohort 6: Montgomery-South, Houston, Pike, Coffee, Dale Aug 15, 2018-Aug 2019(1st year) Aug 15, 2019-2020 (2nd year) Cohort 7: Jeff, Calhoun, St. Clair, Blount, Tusc. Cullman, Walker Feb 15, 2019-Feb 2020 (1st year) Feb 15, 2020-Feb 2021(2nd year) Cohort 8: To be decided or Madison, Marshall, Lime-stone, Morgan, Lauderdale, Jackson, Dekalb, Cherokee Feb 15, 2018-Feb 2019 (1st year) Feb 15, 2019-Feb 2020 (2nd year)

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HAPPENINGS

What did the grown-up flower say to the baby flower? Nice to meet you, bud!

AUTAUGA CO MGA Tana Shealey

Resting is never a part of the vernacular of the busy members of the Autauga County Master Gardeners Association. When we last chatted, ACMGA members were preparing for the Annual Plant Sale. It was a huge success generating thousands of dollars that will be used to support programs in Autauga County, including the growing and donating of fresh vegetables to needy Autauga County families. In May, ACMGA members volunteered with learning programs including Friends of the Forest for fifth graders, the Free Kids Fishing Rodeo at Pratt Park for all children under 16, and the Annual Water Festival offered to all fourth graders in Autauga County. ACMGA members offered a free Herb Gardening class with Prattville Parks and Recreation and handed out free gardening literature at Prattville CityFest. Members participated in the Annual Conference in Huntsville with Rose McCauley being sworn in as Secretary and Glenn Huovinen receiving the “Fred Evans Intern of the Year Award.” Even with its free monthly Lunch & Learn meetings, and work in its Prattvillage Garden which is enjoyed by everyone, ACMGA members took the time to landscape the

entrance to the William Howard Smith Building in Autaugaville. This building houses the Autauga County Extension Office, Autauga Forestry Commission, Farm Services Agency, and the Autauga County Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The small in number, but mighty in energy, Autauga County Master Gardeners are busy spreading information and support in Autauga County - every day!

ACMGA Members Working at Their Annual Spring Plant Sale. Pictured above from left: Kathryn Whaley, Linda Parrish, Glenn Nichols, Ann Fuller, Billie Gay Willis, Mary Ann Ballard, Linda Blackwell, Lee Thomas Second Row from left: Charlie French, Patrick Cook, Bob Scheffler, Lisa Carswell, Tim McCoy, Anita Shriberg, Carolyn Gray Third Row from left: Deb Hill, Ofie McCoy, Cheri Cook, Paula Seamon, Rose McCauley Right below the welcome sign: Tana Shealey. Photo was taken by a volunteer

12

BALDWIN CO MGA Myra Lassere

Meet the Newest Master Gardeners from Baldwin County While several from BCMG attended the 2017 Conference in Huntsville, our new crop of MGs were presenting on topics of their choice. All enjoyed a luncheon provided by their mentors. In July, the 2017 class will receive their certificates of completion with badges and stars they may have earned. The new recruits have volunteered many hours at Arbor Day, Earth Day, Festival of Flowers, Plant Sale, Garden Tour, and the Helpline. Intern Presentations May 3, 2017 1. Gerry Lester, Magnolia Springs; Growing Herbs in Containers 2. JoAnn Jordan, Foley; Seven Types of Palm Trees for the Area 3. Brenda Montgomery, Fairhope; Chia 4. Theresa Valentine, Fairhope; Latin for Gardeners 5. Donna Weaver, Daphne; Creating a Planter Fountain

6. Rosemary Harris, Foley; Hydroponics 7. John McCarty, Daphne; Smilax 8. Terri Wallace, Daphne; Hummingbirds 9. Chrissie Hines, Fairhope; Bees 10. Jamie Sowards, Fairhope; The Victorian Age and the Wardian Case 11. Pam Ewell, Fairhope; Bats 12. Luanne Matson, Magnolia Springs; Sweet Shrub Carolina Allspice 13. John Klatt, Fairhope; Recycling Yard Waste 14. Melissa McCarty, Daphne; Milkweed—Importance to Monarch Butterflies 15. Marlo Wilson, Foley; Making Your Own Hypertufa Pot 16. Ann Hutchinson, Foley; Bromeliads 17. Jim Pearson, Foley; Angel Trumpets 18. Rebecca Snyder, Gulf Shores; Plumeria 19. Arren Graf, Foley; Growing Bananas in Coastal Alabama 20. Kathryn Cockrell, Daphne; Herbs, They’re More Than Tasty

Photo by Loree Hadley

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BLOUNT CO MGA Glynis Adams

Blount County Master Gardeners participated in a Community Roundtable project organized by Wallace State Community College to revive the Nectar Senior Citizens Center. Our gardeners, led by Andrea Choron, worked on reclaiming the flower beds, and put in new plants around the entrance, and sign. Our Extension Agent, Dan Porch, led a large group of MGs on a wildflower tour in Blount, and Marshall Counties in March. We were able to see and identify many of the wildflowers which were in bloom. Also, Dan presented a Lunch & Learn program on wildflowers in May which was very interesting. We gathered at MG Noel Sanders’ greenhouse on

several occasions to pot tomato plants which he raised for our annual plant sale. The sale was held April 29 at the Agri-Business Center in Oneonta and was very successful. The public, as well as MGs, look forward to this sale each year. Congratulations to three of our members, Allen Neel, who earned a ruby star for over 4,000 hours of volunteer service, Nancy Friday, and Sharon Huffstutler, who were presented with gold name badges for reaching 1,000 hours. These MGs exemplify all of our members who contribute so much to our area in improving our environment. MG Harold Deason conducted a workshop on; building bluebird houses for the students of the Outdoor Classroom at Locust Fork High School. MGs Sherry Brewer and Mary Matthews, sponsors of the outdoor classroom as well as teachers at the school, assisted.

CALHOUN CO MGA Sherry Blanton Spring’s highlight was Earth Day celebrations; in two days almost 1,000 visitors, fourth-grade children, teachers, and volunteers visited Cane Creek. They learned about recycling, health habits, safety around electricity, clean water, and water safety among other topics, all the while having a fun and educational field day experience. More than 50 MGs were on site helping the event run smoothly. The Tree Amigos Master Gardeners held a “Clean Out the Greenhouse” sale; our lucky customers walked away with some special plants. Our MGs were motivated at our May Lunch and Learn program by David Doggett who gave us a useful program on “Planting, Transplanting and Repotting.” Hayes Jackson charmed us with his passion for caladiums at June’s program. We will all be collectors. Lunch and Learn continues to grow in attendance. At our June monthly meeting Stephen Faughn, the ACES 4H County Agent introduced his crew of amazing animals used in local schools.

Cane Creek Community Gardens, the home of our Association, has been as busy as our bees. Work is going forth on our greenhouse; a wheelchair ramp is in the planning and repairs to the buildings are ongoing. Our dedicated Tuesday team spends hours beautifying our grounds.

Earth Day volunteers, Interns from other counties coming together for Earth Day. Photo by Sherry Blanton

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CAPITAL CITY MGA Betsy Coley

Capital City MGA will present a seminar, “Cut and Color for the Fall Season,” on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. Learn or enhance your knowledge, and skills for fall pruning, and for selecting, and planting for fall color. Presenters are Karen Weber, Horticulturist at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Jason Powell of Petals from the Past. Jason will also bring plants available for purchase. The location, Grace Episcopal Church in Pike Road, AL, is set in a lovely garden. The seminar will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. and is open to the public. The fee is $20.00, including lunch. See the full-page flyer and registration form in this issue of Pathways.

Breaking News from our major project, the development of the Montgomery Botanical Gardens (MBG); after a large oak tree had fallen in the gardens, the MBG board commissioned several designs for benches and other artifacts to be created from the wood. These items will be used to raise funds for the gardens in a number of ways. CCMGA members participate in the Volunteer Work Day at the gardens every third Thursday of each month. The greenhouse, constructed in large part by CCMGA members, is ready to have the cover installed for use in the fall. There were 28 members in the Intern Class this year. As of June 15, they have entered 1,284 hours towards certification.

CENTRAL ALABAMA MGA Iva Haynie The Farm Bot components arrived in April and are in the process of being assembled. We look forward to seeing this robot in action. Our association now has a program on YouTube called "Stubborn Old Gardeners" and has a growing number of viewers. Our Master Gardeners are making the videos. To date, topics have been Planting Hydrangeas, Sharpening tools, and repotting orchids. There have been hundreds of views from around the world. The April program was a recap of some of our Master Gardeners' visit to the English Gardens. We enjoyed an English Tea Party to accompany the program. Several of our group attended the State Conference; four badges were earned, one gold,

and three platinum. Our May program was entitled "Tickle Your Nose," and included the chemistry and physics of plant scents, presented by Jane McCarthy. The June program will be presented by Dr. McWhorter on Permaculture. We had a successful plant sale in early May, though not our most profitable year. The Help Line is up and running, Lunch and Learn is going well with good attendance (recent programs included Back Yard Tomatoes, Propagation, and Hydrangeas) and we are recruiting for the Fall Intern Class. Work continues on our ongoing projects at the Governor's Mansion, the Millbrook Farmers Market, and our own Learning Gardens. We participated in Earth Day in Wetumpka, and some of our people volunteer for work days at the Montgomery Botanical Garden. We do keep busy.

The best and most beautiful things in the world

cannot be seen or even touched -

they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

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CHILTON CO MGA Trisha Williams and Audrey Giles Between volunteering, meetings, and tours, Chilton County Master Gardeners have been busy. We set up an “Ask a Master Gardener” table at Garrison’s Farm Supply, worked the Helpline, and helped with Extension activities including Friends of the Forest and 4H programs. Some members planted flower baskets for the City of Jemison and others are Harvest for Health volunteers. We taught a Hispanic class on Container Gardening—thanks to Intern Zuly Lemus for translating and Gay West, Chilton County Extension Coordinator, for coordinating with the YMCA and providing supplies. Demo Garden workdays continue twice a week, and it is open to visitors all year. Our annual May Plant Swap was hosted by MGs Lee and Wally Walters at their home on beautiful Lake Mitchell. In June we learned about Growing Succulents, and in July our program is on Fall and Winter Veggie Gardens. Can you believe it is already time to start planning our fall vegetable gardens? John Manion, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, led a tour of the BBG Kaul Wildflower Garden and identified many native plants and told us interesting facts about them. Then on a guided tour of Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve near Montevallo, we learned that the swamp is a highland, hardwood swamp, and what

purpose swamps serve. Virginia sweetspire, leatherflower, arum, climbing hydrangea, and swamp dogwood were some of the native plants we saw. Our visit was complete when we spotted a snake!

CCMGA Tour of Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve. 1st Row L-R: MG Intern Catherine Williams, University of Montevallo Department Chair and our guide: Mike Hardig. 2nd Row L-R: Treasia Bennett, Alice Broome, Margaret Goolsby, Sue Webb. 3rd Row L-R: Harriett Jackson, Sondra Henley, Skip Coulter, Bonnie Hairrell, Elizabeth York, Trisha Williams. Photo by a visitor

COVINGTON CO MGA Mary Ann Gantt

Covington County Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale was a huge success clearing over twice the money raised in previous years. Each Master Gardener contributed thirty Pass-Along Plants and those, combined with the com-mercially grown plants, created quite the inventory. Master Gardeners had to wait until after the sale to purchase plants, and there was little left from which to choose! Adding the Friday afternoon sale hours and increased publicity seemed to contribute to the in-creased success. Master Gardeners voted to host the Plant Sale again in 2018. Covington County Master Gardeners also committed to hosting a luncheon program in September 2017 featuring the Health Benefits of Herbs. In addition to a luncheon featuring herbs in every recipe, a speaker will share information about how to enjoy the benefits of all the herbs we can grow. Watch for more details about this delicious, exciting Master Gardener event.

Master Gardeners Norma Riley, Janet Wofford, and Susan Blair stand still for a second as they arranged the commercially grown plants for the recent Master Gardener Plant Sale. The sale was successful, and profits will be used for community education and projects. Photo by Mary Ann Gantt

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CULLMAN CO MGA Jennifer Underwood

The CCMGAI had 27 new Interns in our 2017 Master Gardener class. Among the Interns are two scholarship recipients; Zac Martin and Teressa Pritchard. We have been busy providing food and mentoring these “Master Gardeners in the making.” Master Gardeners arrived at our Work Day at our Demo Garden with pots and soil ready to divide and pot plants for the upcoming Bloomin’ Fest which is our greatest fund-raiser of the year. The Raised Bed Demo Garden at the fairgrounds was planted with cool season vegetables. This recent CCMGAI platform was brought about by the heightened interest in raised beds in our community. A costume contest and a game of “Dirty Gardener” helped to herald in the new season, Mardi Gras-style. Once again, we showed that Master Gardeners know how to “laissez les bon temps rouler.” In April our annual Bloomin’ Festival (our year’s biggest fundraiser), was followed in May by the Strawberry Festival (always a great outreach opportunity). An exciting new program called the ”Power of Produce” kicked off in May. Rotating with the Parks and Recs department, the North Alabama Agriplex and the Extension Service, CCMGAI volunteers will be featuring different types of produce each Saturday through October at the Festhalle. Included in the demonstrations

are one sweet dish, one savory dish, a child’s activity, and two $1 tickets for children 14 and under to buy samples of produce. Our Rain Garden has a savvy new sign, and a $1,000 check was recently awarded to our Junior Master Gardeners. May 11 was our annual Awards Dinner at the Agriplex, where we recognized our 2017 Interns as well as certified our newest MGs. Bloomin’ Fest Committee Chair, Ken Cason, took the Master Gardener of the Year award, and 12 MGs received either a badge or a star including Teresa Goodwin (Platinum Badge) and Sonya Nail (Gold Badge). We now begin work on our “Victory Garden” themed booth for the County Fair September 21-30.

L to R: Sonya Nail receiving the Gold Badge, and Teresa Goodwin receiving the Platinum Badge at the Awards Dinner at the Agriplex. Photo by Ellen Hall

The glory of gardening:

hands in the dirt, head in the sun,

heart with nature. To nurture a garden

is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

Voltaire

1694—1778

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DEKALB CO MGA Dawn Earley

The DeKalb County Master Gardeners have been honored to be partnered with the DeKalb Co Extension Center and the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) in the building of raised vegetable gardens at several of the ARC homes located in Fort Payne. With help from Lowe’s and our County agents, Eric Schavey and Hunter McBrayer, and the donation of soil and seed by interested individuals, the beds were constructed complete with drip irrigation. The residents at each of the homes were shown how to plant and care for the gardens. The MG volunteers return each week to check on how the beds are doing and to continue to help the residents as needed. This project was the inspiration of Lori Wheeler, also of the DeKalb Co Extension, and in the short time since it started has received multiple awards. DeKalb County Master Gardeners received the Search for Excellence Award at the AMGA Conference held in Huntsville in May. County agents Eric Schavey and Hunter McBrayer submitted the ARC Garden project for national competition and won first place. Lori Wheeler also submitted and won five awards with this project. The project was

recognized in October during Disabilities Awareness Month when this combined effort received the Governor’s Award for its help toward equipping these citizens to learn life-sustaining skills. County agent Eric Schavey will conduct another six-week Master Gardener class the last two weeks of June and the month of July in Fort Payne. There are approximately 18 people signed up.

L to R: Ann Houston, Lynn Evens, Janie Lawless, Hunter McBrayer, and Stanley Sims at one of the ARC Gardens. Photo by Lori Wheeler

ETOWAH CO MGA Carol B. Link

Spring was an exceptionally busy time for Etowah County Master Gardeners. First there was the successful annual two-day greenhouse sale that funds the organization in all of its endeavors. The following weekend the association held a one-day half-price sale, and upon its completion, not only had the Association done well financially, the entire property and all four greenhouses were left devoid of plants. Since the beginning of April, Master Gardeners from Etowah, DeKalb, and Marshal Counties have been staffing the Horticulture Helpline, answering horticulture questions for area residents. The helpline will continue operating through September. Recently, Alice Pruett, an Etowah County Master

Gardener organized a Plant Swap, which was conducted on association property. Gardeners attended from all over the area, and during the swap, no money was exchanged, but attendees went home with several new plants and other garden related items. In addition, the group had lunch together. ECMGA has a new group of Interns who completed the Master Gardener class in April. Members look forward to working with and getting to know the new Interns better. In May, a tomato grafting workshop was well attended by ECMGs. Also in May, a group of ECMGA members and spouses went to the home of a fellow Master Gardener to clean up and complete some unfinished work in the member’s landscape. The family was very appreciative.

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JEFFERSON CO MGA

Fletcher Harvey

SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendar! DON’T BE LATE! Make your plans now… Hot on the heels of a great conference in Huntsville, the folks in Jefferson County are excited about hosting the 2018 AMGA Conference May 3-5 in Birmingham. We are taking close note of successes and shortcomings of the past to insure a smooth-running, informative, and fun meeting. Attendee comments from past conferences have given us a good background to work with. The 2018 Conference will be “self-contained,” as it were. Once a registrant pulls into the Sheraton Hotel there will be no need to go anywhere else during the run of the meeting. Other than possible tours, all sessions, silent auction, vendors, meals and sleeping accommodations are under the same roof. For a change of pace or menu, the up-and-coming Uptown Entertainment District is right in your backyard, a safe and pleasant stroll from the hotel. The conference committee is hard at work

arranging speakers, discussing menus, securing Vendors, and otherwise negotiating the very best perks available for Alabama’s Master Gardeners in 2018. Our theme is “Learn, Nurture, Grow…CELEBRATE ALABAMA!” Make plans now to join us for our celebration in Birmingham in 2018. As we say, “Y’all come.”

Roger Clarke informing attendees of the upcoming 2018 AMGA conference. Photo by Fletcher Harvey

LEE CO MGA Pat Giordano Twilight is defined as a short interval of time be-tween sunset and moonrise; twilight is characterized by a soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon. And LCMGA took advantage of the magical time to celebrate the Twilight Trilogy Tour on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. The weather was perfect for our first evening in the gardens. Under a cloudless sky, the warmth of the spring day lingered as Master Gardeners, friends, and family gathered in three gardens, each with a unique theme complemented by the food and beverage served. At Chris and Stephanie Huff's garden, the Caribbean vibe was evident in the energy, food and especially the ocean blue beverage. Nancy and Jim Golson celebrat-ed Southern Charm with mint juleps. They enhanced the garden plantings with creative lighting in all cor-ners of their backyard. Guests were greeted with live

music at Susan and Marvin Price's elegant garden where the space felt expansive as the dusk deepened. At each home, the warmth of the hosts welcomed the guests. All guests seemed torn between lingering at a garden and heading to the next location to experi-ence a different theme.

Twilight Trilogy Garden Tour. Photo by David Peterson

19

MARSHALL CO MGA Annette Williams

MCMG's plant sale had 28 volunteers. They sold over 350 plants and made over $1,200. Two children from Brindlee Mountain School sold tomatoes raised from seeds from their garden. A great time was had by all who attended the MG conference in Huntsville. The speakers were great, the food was good, and many new friends were made. Each one came away with plants, seeds, and new insight into growing and caring for their gardens. (The green matching shirts were a hit!) Mr. J.D. Swartzlander and Mr. Ray Barnes accepted the Search for Excellence award to CASA for harvesting almost 12,000 pounds of food in 2016. Elaine Hild won the award for the best newsletter for 2016 for up to 60 AMGA members. She also organizes the plant sales. Now the CASA garden is growing and producing

for 2017. Eighteen pounds of radishes and some eggplants have already been harvested. It looks like the cabbage, squash, and potatoes will be next. Here's hoping for a good growing season for 2017.

The photo is from our plant sale. From left to right: George Darling, Mary McClendon, Elaine Hild, and Harry Williams. Photo by Linda Widner

LIMESTONE CO MGA Carol Knox

The Limestone County Master Gardeners

Association has initiated a Master Gardener

Helpline table at the Athens Limestone Public

Library. A year ago we saw that we could fulfill a

need in the community for a permanent gardening

advice and assistance venue that was easily

available to the local community and at a place

where many people pass through. With the

approval of the Library, we settled in for a four

hour/one day a week presence. Since we are there

at the same time as the Friends of the Library Book

Sale, there are people who come for the sale and

look at us as a curiosity, but stay to discuss garden

problems. There is also a preschool reading program

which brings in younger adults whom we have

discovered have an intense interest in gardening.

There are a few days, especially in the winter,

where we do not have many people stop by, but

many times we have people waiting for us to set up

our table so we can answer questions and just talk

gardening. It has also been a rich area to set the

seeds (pun intended) for future attendance in the

Master Gardener Program. The Master Gardeners

Helpline table at the Library is manned every

Tuesday from 10-2 and on the first Saturday of the

month. We also have the Helpline table set up at

the Athens Farmers Market every Saturday from

June through August.

20

MASTER GARDENERS OF NORTH ALABAMA Elouisa Stokes

Trips, children, and gardens galore. The Master Gardeners of North Alabama have been busy this spring and summer. We also have been making plans for the fall. Right now we have just had a fantastic Saturday with the children of Huntsville at the Family Fun Fest at the Von Braun Center. We answered questions, made things with the children, and had a blast with the Huntsville families.

We have been the recipients of the best news ever, and you can be a part of it. Our very own Mary Lou McNabb has written her book about gardening in North Alabama. Now you may have heard her story of bringing the Master Gardener program

from up north and getting Gary Murray to have A&M University teach us everything we needed in 11 weeks. But did you know that she is also a blueberry farmer with lots of vegetable gardens, perennials, fruit and nut trees? Her book is called Sow It, Grow It, Know It in a North Alabama Garden. The book costs $19.95, and Mary Lou has graciously donated the profits to the Master Gardeners of North Alabama. Pictures in the book are by Bob McNabb. Please contact us at mginfo.org for a copy. You will be amazed at the information about growing here in North Alabama. Mary Lou knows about our soils, and sun/water needs of plants you may wish to grow.

We look forward to interesting meetings the second Thursday of the month. See you there.

MOBILE CO MGA Mary Nash Eight Mobile Master Gardeners attended the Alabama Master Gardener Conference in Huntsville in May. Mobile Master Gardeners received the following recognitions and awards. Genie Schneider was installed as AMGA Treasurer, and Mobile County Master Gardeners received one of five State project grants. Significant Mobile Master Gardener achievements: Roy Suberly, Jackie Jenkins, and Peggy Wright received a Gold Badge (1,000 to 1,999 hours); Genie Schneider received a Platinum Badge (2,000 to 3,999 hours); Marsha Stoltz received an Emerald Star (6,000 to 7,999 hours); Luan Akridge received a Diamond Star (8,000 to 9,999 hours). We are also proud of the following awards: The Mary Lou McNabb Master Gardener of the Year Award was presented to Jane Trawick, and Intern of the Year was presented to Rene’ Reibling. Mobile Master Gardeners will host the Alabama Master Gardeners Conference March 29-April 1, 2020. In August 2017, we will begin training as volunteer mentors in the Harvest for Health program, using gardening as therapy with cancer survivors. A grant renewal to UAB will allow for the

second round of this program to help cancer survivors through the therapy of gardening. All participants will receive gardening supplies, plants, and seeds. Master Gardeners will provide monthly mentoring. Nancy Seibt is currently developing plans for a fall road trip for continuing education. The 2017 Mobile County Master Gardener Class will begin August 9 and will run through November 15 at the Jon Archer Center, 1070 Schillinger Road N., Mobile, AL.

Devonne Ellis, AMGA Stars Chair, and Jane Trawick. Jane was presented The Mary Lou McNabb Master Gardener of the Year Award. Photo by Alice Marty

21

MORGAN CO MGA Barb Brown

The primary fund raiser for the MCMGs is their annual plant sale. Morgan County’s greenhouses are where a dedicated group work year round with the propagation, growing, and maintenance of various plants. It is a learning experience as well, with some not so thriving plants, and sometimes unexpected propagation successes. Last year we had to battle with some leaf-eating rodents in a humane way; all leading up to the main event. Members also bring plants from their gardens or plants they have “fostered” over the winter. It is a group effort with many behind the scenes volunteers handling hundreds of details. This year our sale in April again surpassed our expectations and was a huge success. We will be able to increase our donations for scholarships and grants to help local horticultural projects.

With the heat of summer and the fact that we each have our own gardens; we will relax a bit. We are looking forward to our spring picnic with all that good food MG’s are known for, along with some fun games and fellowship.

Many hard working volunteers, in front of the plants we had for sale. Photo by Vicki Morese

PIKE CO MGA Sheri Brooks

The Master Gardeners of Pike County have been busy! We have been increasing our presence in the community by volunteering for the Spring Planting at Pioneer Museum of Alabama. This event allowed us to give a hands-on demonstration to children from several of the school districts in the county. Each child got to take a plant home. The younger children participated by pretending they were a seed and with sun and rain grew into a flower! In May we held our annual plant sale at The Pioneer Museum with a "Kid's Corner" station. The children made Mother's Day cards and planted sunflower seeds to take home. They were also given an observation journal for their seeds and a plant life cycle booklet! A much-needed drip system was installed for our Pike Pioneer Museum herb garden. A hands-on program was given by one of our members to all attending! This summer we will work with the Pioneer Museum to revitalize its Nature Trail. The Boy Scouts will be joining us to help with this endeavor. Each of the scouts will have roles for this wonderful project!

An Eagle Scout will be identifying some of the native trees on the trail and redoing the posts and markers on the trail, while other Scouts will assist in areas such as clearing debris. The PCMGs have designated money earned from calendar sales to be used to buy landscape timbers to line parts of the trail. Summer will also be a time that our organization will work to get enough people to sign up for a Fall Master Gardener class. PCMG has also been working with Troy University to enact a garden project at Troy Elementary School that was started in March that we will continue to develop!

One of the Pike Pioneer Museum Nature Trail markers. Photo by Leigh Calk

22

SHELBY CO MGA Rita Forrest

Shelby County members attended the AMGA Conference, and it was very informative, and every-one enjoyed the location and all the speakers. We had one more member, Diane McKinnon re-ceive her gold badge! So far, this year we have had great monthly meetings: Drip Irrigation, Drought presentations, Vegetable gardening, Square-foot gardening, and Captain Compost. With all the great rain we have had so far this year, all of my plantings are looking fabulous! We are gearing up for another Intern class to begin Aug. 2.

Karen Jensen, Cindy Sapp, Elizabeth York, Edith Johnston, Myra Healy, Rita Forrest, Beth Hearten, Jeanon Massien, Cathy Canant. Photo by a volunteer

SHOALS MGA Peggie Lazenby Hello, fellow Master Gardeners across our great State. It was nice to see everyone at our State Conference in Huntsville. I am honored to congratulate our own Michael Thomason on his election as Vice President, AMGA Board; he will do a great job. We here in the Shoals have been busy with our annual plant sale. Special thanks to Peggy and Richard Davis of Etowah County Master Gardeners for their generous donations to our association.

We have also been busy with workdays and a field trip to Petals from the Past. Our local Children's Museum is reopening, and we have had a couple of workdays to help them spruce up the outside. Our community gardens are also growing well. We are looking forward to an upcoming field trip to see Carol Reese at UT's West Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center. The Shoals Master Gardeners also have several good programs planned for our monthly meetings such as a papercrete demonstration and container gardening. Enjoy your Summer!

ST. CLAIR CO MGA Sharla Palmgren

St. Clair County Master Gardeners have been busy with several projects. Our annual Plant Sale was held May 5 and 6. It was a record-setting sale with a wonderful turnout from the public and lots of MG volunteer participants. Our other active volunteer projects include some brush clearing at Lincoln School, and a major amount of work is continuing at Lakeside Park in Pell City.

Recently we had a guest speaker, Mr. Charles Yeager, from Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. Mr. Yeager is an enthusiastic young man who shared much information regarding the Preserve which is located near Pinson. Surprisingly, three critically endangered fish are found at Turkey Creek as are other endangered species. You can find 'Friends of Turkey Creek' on Facebook. Hopefully, everyone’s gardens are benefiting from the spring rains. Happy growing!

23

TALLAPOOSA CO MGA Judy Heinzen

Propagation was the topic of our March meeting. Carol Griffen, a Lee County Master Gardener, came to show us how to take a leaf, soft wood, and stem cuttings of various plants, and how to root them. She demonstrated how to divide plants. Our members were grateful to receive the practice plants and seeds which Carol brought. Due to a conflict with the Water Festival schedule, our April meeting was moved to the fourth Thursday. Despite the schedule change, we had a large attendance of members and guests at our self-directed tour of Jim Scott’s Gardens on the southern shore of Lake Martin. Everything was in bloom, so it was hard to decide which path to

follow. The wine cellar and cave are “must see” destinations. Dianna Porter set up a display at the Girls Ranch Arts and Crafts Festival in a booth we shared with LakeWatch Lake Martin on May 13. Sunflower seeds and cherry tomato plants were available for children to plant and take along home. Patti Voss, Barbara Butler and Judy Heinzen assisted Dianna with the event. Our May meeting was a plant swap. Everyone who brought plants to swap told the group about the plants or seeds told the group about them – sun/shade, height/width, how to care for them. Some second or third generation plants or seeds from previous years made another appearance this year. Everyone went home with new additions to their garden.

Wild azaleas, ferns, jasmine, daylilies, roses, and many bedding plants were available at our Spring Plant Sale on April 7. It was a beautiful spring day, a little cool and quite windy, so our tent canopy was taken down early. Many helpers and buyers made the time go by quickly. Photo by Liz Rudolph, Master Gardener

24

TUSCALOOSA CO MGA Sybil Phillips The Tuscaloosa County Master Gardeners have continued with the on-going landscaping projects at Eagle Wings, and at Hospice of West Alabama, work goes on throughout the year. We held a short term project of a Plant Rescue in the Woodridge neighborhood, and six members participated. To begin with, we were told that there were about 200 plastic or black nursery pots. This home was owned by an Engineering professor and a plant collector. This couple had been deceased for some years, and the two sons evidently had no interest or time to take care of the property. She collected tropical plants and variegated plants. Instead of one pot of a Bromeliad, there were at least twenty-five pots. We reached a point where we would look underneath the layers of growth to see if there were different plants hiding there. We found a few plants that

were new to us so now they must be identified. We had a good time with our rambling, digging and sharing. A person in the neighborhood has purchased the property and will either gut the house and completely re-do it or will tear down and re-build. It will greatly improve the neighborhood. How did we learn about this garden? I received a phone call from a Master Gardener in Autauga County, and he is a cousin to the present two owners of the house. He told me the story and asked if we would be interested. Of course, I said “Yes.” Our spring conference was a success. The theme was “Springing into Spring,” and the three presenters were Jenks Farmer from South Carolina, Hayes Jackson from Anniston, Alabama and Sue Webb from Petals from the Past. We had 60 registered, and 58 came, making the best attendance that we have had in several years.

WIREGRASS MGA Jane Klosky We were invited to have a booth at the Home & Garden Show at the Dothan Civic Center where we were able to provide gardening information to attendees. We also sold many of our plants that were grown for our plant sale. Our Lunch ‘n Learn program ended with a program on Hydrangeas. Lunch ‘n Learn has proven to be very successful and will resume in the fall. We look forward to another series of great topics.

We had eight members attend the Alabama Master Gardener Conference in Huntsville. They brought back a lot of information learned while there. Our Junior Master Gardener program concluded in April with 12 participants receiving their certificates and celebrating their ‘graduation.’ However, our efforts to excite kids about gardening continue. Each Wednesday through the end of July, our Master Gardeners visit Aunt Katie’s Community Garden to help kids from the Boys and Girls Club learn about the joys of gardening. We have 40 boys and girls participating in this program.

Our Spring Plant sale was a huge success with a wide variety of healthy plants sold. Work has already started for our Fall Plant Sale. It takes a village to put on a plant sale – This is our Wiregrass MG Village. Photo was taken by a member’s daughter

25

Page 2

Advisory Council—Kathie

Bass

Kathie Bass—Fundraising

John Baker—Membership

Page 3

Brenda Tapp—Board High-

lights

Page 4—Kerry Smith

Page 5— Save the Date

Page 6— What’s Happening

Around Alabama?

Page 9—Board Members

www-alabamamg-org

AMGA Website

Pathways Summer 2017

DEADLINE FOR FALL ISSUE IS SEPT 15, 2017

Alabama Master Gardeners Association

alabamamg.org

Editor: Patricia Peoples St. Clair CO. MGA

H: 205-467-0281 [email protected]

Copy Editor

Patricia Patty Calhoun CO MGA

Proofreader

Carolyn Wade—MGNA

State Advisor Kerry Smith

State Master Gardeners Program Coordinator

334-844-3036 Cell 334-329-1051

[email protected]

Got Questions

? We’ve Got Answers

aces.edu/questions

2017 AMGA BOD, OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: Catharine Maddox, Capital City VICE PRESIDENT: Michael Thomason, Shoals SECRETARY: Rose McCauley, Autauga TREASURER: Genie Schneider, Mobile

BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE TERM 2015-2018 Phil Gatlin, Cullman Dennis Pinkard, Lee Ann Vaughn, Morgan TERM 2016-2019 Frieda Romanchuk, Baldwin Jim Allen, Morgan TERM 2017-2020 Mary Howe, MGMA Devonne Ellis, Wiregrass

2017 AMGA COMMITTEES COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: Chair: Brenda Tapp

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE: Editor: Patricia Peoples Copy Editor: Patricia Patty Proofreader: Carolyn Wade

WEBSITE COMMITTEE: Webmaster: Rita Forrest Cathy Maddox, Michael Thomason

CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Chair: Kerry Smith

CONFERENCE COMMITTEES: 2018 Co-Chairs: Ann Harvey, Roger Clark 2019 Co-Chairs: Pat Farmer, Sondra Henley 2020 Co-Chairs: Rene Reibling, Judy Stout

ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE: Chair: Karen Carmichael Dennis Pinkard

FUND RAISING COMMITTEE: Chair: Ann Vaughn Anita Buckley

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Chair: Mary Howe

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Chair: Myra Lassere, Phil Gatlin, Fletcher Harvey

PROJECT FUNDING COMMITTEE: Chair: Phil Gatlin

RECORDS AND RETENTION COMMITTEE: Chair: Michael Thomason

STATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: Chair: Michael Thomason Phil Gatlin, Ann Vaughn

ADVISORY COUNCIL Chair: Ann Scharko

WEBSITE INFO APPROVAL:

Cathy Maddox, Michael Thomason,

Brenda Tapp

AMGA Website

Alabamamg.org