Patrick Thompson, the Curator of the Davis Arboretum at Auburn University and Coordinator of the Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance was our September speaker. He spoke to us about the importance of conserving our native species and establishing more sites where these plants can thrive. Alabama and Chilton County have many plants that are specific to us and are worthy of saving. One plant, the Alabama Canebreak Pitcher Plant, has only been found in Chilton and Autauga counties and only at eight sites. Our local CCMGA Conservation Group will be working to propagate some of the threatened plants and to provide educational programs to the public.
Patrick Thompson presenting September’s programV. P. Leslie Durham presenting the handmade wooden pen to the speaker, Patrick ThompsonMGs AmyBaker and Skip CoulterPres. Jerry Farmer and MG Betsy Smith
Our July speaker was Henry Lucas from Capitol City Master Gardeners who presented a program on ‘Square Foot Gardening’. Gardening using this technique saves space and results in less weeding, less watering and less less work. He recommended the book ‘All New Square Foot Gardening, 3rd Edition by Mel Bartholomew and an online course at: http://www.SquareFootGardening.com These resources will provide information on building beds, how to plant and what to do and not do in a Square Foot garden. Thank you, Mr. Lucas for a great program on how to plant in a small footprint!
CCMGA will hold plant sales at the Chilton Research and Extension Center on the days the CREC is selling fruit or vegetables.
Happy July Birthday to Gail Brooks, Clem Clapp, Jimmy Knowles, Claire Sluyterman van Loo and Lyn Webb.
V. President Leslie Durham and Speaker Henry Lucas from Capital City Master GardenersThe book Mr Lucas recommended to help you get startedSome demonstrations of squarefoot gardening.Judy zcobb and Jane Rabey do a great job with the hospital’o
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.
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
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
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!!
Native Bloodroot Crab AppleNative ColumbineTrisha’s native woodland phloxHarriett Jackson & Hugh NicholsAmy Baker’s guestHugh Nichols and spouseSt. Patrick’s Day decor.Delicious St. Patty’s Day refreshmentsLovely AND delicious!!
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 MGgift
February is traditionally the month of our Awards Program.
President Jerry Farmer and V. President Leslie Durham presented the awards as follows:
Leslie Durham, CCMGA Vice President, presided over our meeting in the place of the President,Jerry Farmer. Sherry Carter, Chilton and Bibb County SNAP-ED Agent, talked with us about her program that promotes nutrition education for children and adults. She told us about volunteer opportunities helping assemble notebooks and prepping food for her classes. She also works with “The Gathering” food pantry and asked for help with that also.
The CCMGA gave our Outgoing President, Pat Farmer a gift certificate to Petals from the Past. Our outgoing V. President, Gail Brooks presented it to her today.
OUR 2023 TEAM LEADERS:
ADVISORY COUNCIL: Harriett Jackson and Audrey Giles, Alternate HELPLINE: Hugh Nichols EXTENSION OFFICE: Gail Brooks and Alan Reed DEMO GARDEN: Trisha Williams and Lynne May CLANTON REC CENTER: Amy Baker and Amelia Bloomfield HOSPITALITY: Judy Cobb, Jane Rabey, Cheryl Herbster, Joan Barber 2023 INTERN CLASS: Trisha Williams and Pat Farmer FACEBOOK and WEBSITE: Audrey Giles and Trisha Williams SCRAPBOOK: Lynne May PHOTOGRAPHERS: Audrey Giles
Congratulations to Nelson Wynn our Regional Extension Agent, on his upcoming retirement on January 31. He has worked with us on Chilton County Master Gardener training classes and supported CCMGA for many years.
V.P. Leslie Durham, says ”Its about tine to get started”.Sherry Carr, Chilton Snap-Ed Past V.P. Gail Brooks, presenting past President Pat Farmer with her outgoing gift.Nelson Wynn retires from Auburn
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 West2023 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 FarmerDifferent 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 BennettJerry 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!
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
Congratulations to Margariette Hoomes for earning her Master Gardener certification and receiving her MG badge and certificate. The CCMGA Board of Directors provide an Appreciation Lunch of soup and chili for our great members and interns. We had great attendance and enjoyed sharing a meal and socializing with our members.
Terese Goodson from the Capitol City Master Gardeners Association spoke about “Year Round Color in the Garden.” Her goal is to have something blooming every month of the year so that she can have a vase of fresh flowers everyday of the year. A variety of reseeding annuals and perennials can meet this goal. She shared a bloom time chart for central Alabama which serves as a guide for plant selection for each month.
Nominations for 2023 Officers were brought before the members and voted on. The new officers were introduced to the membership and photos taken. 2023 CCMGA Officers are Jerry Farmer, President; Leslie Durham, Vice President; Kerry Rush, Secretary; and Lynn Webb, Treasurer.
Plans were discussed for a booth at the December 4th Maplesville Old Fashion Christmas to promote Master Gardeners. A request was made for small flower seeds to make flower bombs as a give away for children. Several volunteered to provide seeds and help put them together. Volunteers to work the booth in Maplesville were discussed. After no more business, the meeting was adjourned.
Margariette Hoomes gets her Certificate and MG badge presented by Trisha Williams.Ron Herbster, Jim Rabey, and Lyn May at the table, Lee Walters and Clem Clapp behind them. And on the left, Judy Cobb (facing front) talking to Cheryl Herbster.L-R, Hugh Nichols, Chip and Leslie Durham, and Alan ReedAlan Reed, Chip and Leslie Durham, Lyn May, and sitting at right table, R-L Robin Cagle, Lee and Wally Walters Terese Goodson, setting up her demonstration itemsSmile, you’re on Candid Camera!Terese Goodson receiving her speakers gift from V.P. Gail BrooksThe awesome graduation cake Trisha Williams makes the graduating interns every year.L-R Treasurer Lyn Webb, Sec. Kerry Rush, V.P. Leslie Durham, and Pres. Jerry FarmerNow what was that you said, Leslie😮⁉️Just trying to get a good photo of everyone, ladies!
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