Our New Conservation Group

A few weeks ago, our association committed to forming our own Conservation Group, which will be a part of the Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance. Their three goals are: 1. To educate and promote conservation awareness; 2. To collect and report data of endangered or threatened plants; 3. To propagate plant material to be placed in the wild or shared with others to plant. Their first project will be to work with the Mohr’s Barbara Button species, currently a federally threatened plant.

Hugh Nichols, Chairman, and nine members of the committee met with Patrick Thompson at the Davis Arboretum in Auburn for training and a tour. During this visit the group agreed upon 5 immediate goals:
1. To be represented at the APCA fall meeting in Union Springs
2. To coordinate the INaturalist phone APP training to aid in plant identification.
3. Propagate plant matrrial provided to gain experience.
4. Identify potential habitants for rare plants in Chilton County.
5. Develop a community education plan.

Members of the committee include: Hugh Nichols, Chairman, Amelia Bloomfield, Chip Durham, Leslie Durham, Audrey Giles, Lynne May, Rick Miller, Alan Reed, and Trisha Williams.

Group of visitors from Chilton County Master Gardeners
Members and guest included
L-R: Back Rick Miller, Hugh Nichols, Trisha Williams, Betsy Smith, John Higginbotham, L-R Front Lynne May, Clem Clapp, Alan Reed, and Harriett Jackson


VISITING THE UK

Our April program was brought to us by our Chilton County Extension Coordinator, Lucy Edwards. Lucy is a member of the Agricultural Leaders for Alabama, which is sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation. Lucy’s presentation was a summary of her group’s agriculture tour to England. They visited an organic beef farm and also a row crop operation. They also visited the famous Borough Market which is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, dating back to the 12th century when at one time it adjoined the end of London Bridge. The group also visited Smithfield Market which is the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. It’s been at the same location for over 800 years. They are renovating it to include a new 42-acre wholesale megamarket, combining the meat market with wholesale fish, fruit and flower markets. Another day they toured the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the US Embassy, both located in London. DEFRA is responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in the United Kingdom. In addition to the agricultural field trips, the group also toured many of the famous sites in and around London such as the Churchill War Rooms, London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Roman Baths, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and St George’s Chapel.
We also had 2 people to receive certificates that were missing from our February awards program. Congratulations Lyn Lavella Webb and Lanell Baker.

parts of content by Kerry Rush
photos by Audrey Giles

March Native Plants

Our program for March was presented by Chilton County Master Gardener Trisha Williams, who shared with us her PowerPoint, “Native Plants in Grandmother’s Garden”. Trisha shared many native plant species with corresponding photos that included, but certainly not limited to, Bird’s Foot Violets, Columbine, Foxglove Beardtongue, Tall Ironweed and Red Buckeye. She reminded the membership of the 1973 Endangered Species Act regarding the harvesting of natives from the wild, and instead recommended the use of reputable nurseries. A handout with information and resources on native plants was provided.
Harriett Jackson and Hugh Nichols shared a research opportunity that’s under the guidance of ACES’s lead Dani Carroll and the Alabama Smart Yards educational program. Participants are being solicited for home vegetable variety trials. They will be provided seeds and will participate in collecting data related to plant date, quantity planted, emergence date, flowering date, first and last yield date, etc. Potential MG participation and additional information will be forthcoming.
Leslie Durham talked about the need for the association to create a Fundraising Committee.
Reports were given on the Demo Garden, the Extension Office Beds, and the Recreation Bldg Beds, with the last one being a work in progress.
Several volunteer opportunities were discussed.
Our Hospitality Committee was commended for their beautiful St. Patrick’s Day table decorations and also the volunteers who coordinated the food snacks. And many thanks to Betsy Smith for donating the Rosemary Sugar Cookie-filled coffee mug door prizes!!

February-“Got Sun-Grow Food”

Our speaker at our February meeting was Karen Mitchell, a Jefferson County Master Gardener. Karen’s program was “Got Sun, Grow Food…Growing Where Sun & Space Permit” She talked about container gardening and all the advantages it provides, different types of containers, and about drainage and portability of the containers.

V. Pres. Leslie Durham presenting speaker Karen Mitchell with an honorary MG gift

February is traditionally the month of our Awards Program. 

President Jerry Farmer and V. President Leslie Durham presented the awards as follows:

Helpline Hours Recognition:

Silver Pins (4+ days): Lanell Baker, Lynne May, Kerry Rush
Bronze Pins (3 days): Sally Moore, Susan Parkerson
Chairman Pin: Hugh Nichols

Top Volunteer Hours Award:

Ron Herbster (184.5 hrs), Lanell Baker (187 hrs), Harriet Jackson (575 hrs)

Top CEU Award: Lyn Webb (84 hrs)

Top Volunteer Intern Hours Award: Hugh Nichols (204.5 hrs)

Lifetime Volunteer Hours:

Bronze Star (100-299 hrs): Victoria Brady, Chip Durham, Leslie Durham, Lynne May, Hugh Nichols, Kerry Rush

Silver Star (300-499 hrs): Cheryl Herbster, Ron Herbster, Ruby Moberg

Gold Star (500-999 hrs): Gail Brooks, Skip Coulter, Betsy Smith

Platinum Badge (2000-3999 hrs): Lyn Webb (awarded at AMGA Conference)

Emerald Star (6000-7999 hrs): Pat Farmer (awarded at AMGA Conference)

Project of the Year:

Clanton Recreation Center Landscape, Phase 1: Amy Baker, Amelia Bloomfield

And Chilton County Master Gardener of the Year is …Gail Brooks❗️.

Congratulations to all recipients and a big thanks to those who submitted nominations.

Other business was: All upcoming projects and volunteer opportunities were discussed.

ATTENDANCE –

Members:  31 

Interns: 2 

Guests: 3 

Speaker: 1

TOTAL: 37

Christmas Fun!

The Chilton County Master Gardeners really enjoyed their December 13th meeting/Christmas Luncheon. The meeting was short, but one thing that was very important was presenting one of our interns, Sally Moore, with her certificate and badge. Also, our 2021-2022 President, Pat Farmer, introduced the new 2023 board members to everyone. There were many members there, spouses of members, sisters, and a few grandchildren! We were delighted to have our Extension Retirees Gay West, County Coordinator and Elaine Densmore, Administrative Assistant II. We also had our new County Extension Agent, Lucy Edwards there and all the new associates from Chilton County Extension Office. Lucy introduced herself and the rest of the group to all the members.
Our Hospitality group did a themed decoration, I called it “Vintage Toys from Christmases Past”. They all had old toys and lovely old dolls to share for the tables. The Hospitality group did a wonderful job with ALL the decorations and the arrangements of the food stations. Thanks to everyone that volunteered to cook all the wonderful food and bake all the delicious desserts! And thanks to our member, Jim Rabey for donating and cooking the Turkey breasts, they were delicious as always!! Following the luncheon, several members stayed to play Dirty Santa. I didn’t get to stay, but it was rumored that there was lots of stealing going on! I’m sure they all had a wonderful time!! So, until next year:
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU “MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅🏼🧑🏻‍🎄HAPPY NEW YEAR🥳 🎉🥂AND HAPPY GARDENING👩‍🌾

Photos by Audrey Giles & Lynn Webb

L-R Sally Moore is presented her certificate by MG Trisha Williams. Seated is recently retired Chilton County Extension Administrative Assistant Elaine Densmore.
Standing our new County Extension Agent Lucy Edwards and seated, retired Extension County Coordinator Gay West
2023 Board Members L-R Back- VP Leslie Durham,Treasurer Lyn Webb, M.A.L Judy Cobb, M.A.L. Hugh Nichols, Secretary Kerry Rush, Pres. Jerry Farmer. Front L-R Membership Trisha Williams, M.A.L. Lynne May, and Past Pres. Pat Farmer
Different kinds of pepper jelly served with cream cheese and crackers. The jellies were made by MG Debbie Housner and they were delicious!
One of Judy Cobb’s antique dolls. Her grandmother made the doll for her and her mother sewed the dress and a matching dust ruffle for her bed when she was very young.
Dirty Santa fun! Trisha Williams & Treasia Bennett
Jerry Farmer
Lynne May with her granddaughter who was enjoying playing with the old toys.
MG Susan Parkerson got pecans for her dirty santa gift, a well received gift!

2022 Fall Intern Project

The 2022 Chilton County Fall Master Gardener Intern Class and Chilton County Master Gardeners have installed the plants for Phase 1 of the class project. They created a plan to replace the shrubs along the front of the Clanton Community Center and to make the entrance more inviting. City of Clanton workers removed the overgrown shrubs and added top soil. Earlier in October the class and Master Gardener volunteers tilled in soil amendments. The next step was to plant the bed with Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green,’ Gardenia ‘Autumn Beauty,’ Illicium ‘Florida Sunshine,’ Hosta ‘Glad Rags,’ Amaryllis and Iris. A large pot, donated by Mayor Jeff Mims, was planted with a monochromatic group of plants which included Illicium ‘Florida Sunshine,’ Creeping Jenny and Carex ‘Everillo.’ They also placed a bright turquoise bench near the entrance.

Many thanks to the City of Clanton, Mayor Jeff Mims, Petals From The Past, ACES Chilton County Coordinator Lucy Edwards and CAWACO RC&D.

This project was made possible in part by a grant from CAWACO RC&D https://cawaco.org

Landscape and Yard Design

At our October meeting, Trisha Williams introduced Brandy Childress as the new Administrative Assistant at the Chilton County Extension Office Everyone gave her a warm welcome with a big round of applause.

Our Vice President, Gail Brooks, introduced Don Armstrong as this month’s speaker. Don and his wife, Glenda, gave a very informative slide presentation and handouts on Landscape Design/Yard Design. Then as a nice surprise, Mr. Armstrong brought potted plants for every member!


Photos by Audrey Giles and Diane Clapp

Secretary Treasia Bennett introduces new ACES Chilton Office Administrative Assistant Brandy Childress
Speaker Mr. Don Armstrong
V.P. Gail Brooks presents Don Armstrong with his speakers gift
Front L – R Lanell Baker and Audrey Giles
Back L-R Amy Baker, Lyn May, Peggy McGraw, and Kerry Rush
Front L-R Chip and Leslie Durham
Middle L-R Wally Walters and Jimmy Knowles
Standing Back Judy Cobb

Tour of the Demo Garden

by Audrey Giles

Thursday May 5 was a beautiful day for a tour of the Chilton County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. We were host to Regional Extension agents Mallory Kelley, Dani Carroll and Bethany O’Rear and interns of Lee, Elmore, and  Montgomery County associations. Everyone met at 10 am for a tour of the different beds of the garden. CCMGA member Harriett Jackson gave a short bio of the Gardens and how the new one came about. Matthew Price, director of Chilton Research and Extension Center, told them a little about the center, what their purpose is, how they are funded, and all the fruits they grow. Everyone enjoyed delicious doughnuts from Lickin Good Doughnuts, coffee from Jack’s, and ice cold bottled water. Then they all  climbed aboard the 2 tour wagons from the Chilton Research and Extension Center to see the kiwi, strawberries, peaches, and figs, to name a few, that they are growing for research. After that, they all drove up the road to Petals From the Past for lunch and a welcome speech from Jason Powell of Petals.  After their lunch catered by Panera Bread, they all had a tour of Petals by Jason and then went SHOPPING🤩🪴🎍🌳🌾🌹🌼💵💵❗️

Photos by Audrey Giles

CCMGA intern Tammy Gentry on left with guests from Montgomery, Lee, and Elmore County associations.
CCMGA member Harriett Jackson, gives a short bio of the Demo Garden and how the new one came about..
CCMGA Pres. Pat Farmer and member Audrey Giles
CCMGA Intern Hugh Nichols and one of the guests.
Native Columbine in the Native bed.
CREC Manager Matthew Price and CCMGA Pres. Pat Farmer
CCMGA intern Kerry Rush talking to one of the guests.
Getting ready for the tour of the Center.
R.E.A. Mallory Kelly really tickled about something!

Perennials of Master Gardeners

The Garden of Master Gardeners has many perennials. Those are our members that keep coming back, year after year. We also have many octogenarians and nonagenarians in our Garden of Members. There are also plants that can live to be 100. Some that come to mind are the Jade plant and Christmas cacti. Peonies are another plant that can live on and on for years, as can the orchid.  Ferns can also live to be 100 or more.  So like the plants that live on and on, we at Chilton County Master Gardeners Association celebrate our octogenarians and nonagenarians and recognize them each year to let them know how much they are appreciated. Photos by John Sanders, Audrey Giles, and Pixabay.

Pruning Techniques

Sharon Hosch, head lead at the Demo Garden, came to speak to the intern class today about the Demonstration Garden that they maintain at the Chilton Research and Extension Center. She explained to them what’s at the Demo Garden and how it’s maintained, the schedule they normally work, and how they could earn hours by helping there. Then Pat introduced to the interns our Secretary, Treasia Bennett. Every year we invite the officers to come by and be introduced to the new intern class.
The morning zoom class was “What Did I Eat Yesterday?” led by Dani Carol from the Auburn Home Grounds Team. The class was about growing vegetables and fruits in your home garden.
After lunch, Pat Farmer introduced Harriett Jackson, who is over the Pollinator Bed at the Demo Garden, and Ruby Moberg ( not pictured), who is lead over the Extension Office Gardens. Harriett demonstrated to the class how to prune the knock out roses at the Extension Office. The interns learned a valuable, hands on lesson today. Photos by Audrey Giles.

Sharon Hosch, Team Leader at the Demonstration GardenB
President Pat Farmer, introduces to the intern class our Secretary, Treasia Bennett
Harriett Jackson demonstrating pruning knock out roses.
Harriett Jackson knows all about pruning😄!
A beautiful tall yellow bearded Iris already in full bloom at the Extension Office
The class looks totally engrossed in the pruning lessons!