Christmas Time in Master Gardener World

Posted on January 3, 2024February 17, 2024 by trisha

The Chilton County Master Gardeners celebrated Christmas at their December 12 meeting. After a brief business meeting, Master Gardener certificates and badges were presented to our new certified Master Gardeners. Congratulations to Bobby Atkinson, April Oakes and Kathy Oakes for completing the requirements for MG certification.

In addition to our members we had many guests including several spouses, Chilton Extension retirees Gay West and Elaine Densmore, CEC Lucy Edwards and our Chilton Extension agents and staff. We enjoyed a wonderful covered dish dinner with all the traditional Christmas casseroles, turkey, dressing, ham, salads and desserts. Thanks to our Hospitality team for the Christmas Village decorations and to all our set up and cleanup volunteers.

Then the fun started with a spirited Dirty Santa gift exchange!
photos by Audrey Giles and Lyn Webb

Bobby Atkinson, April Oakes, and Kathy Oakes receiving their MG certificates

2024 President Skip Coulter and wife Carol Coulter

2023 President Jerry Farmer slicing the turkey he cooked for the dinner. Thank you, Jerry!!

L – R Master Gardeners Imogene Bresse, Mildred and Jimmy Knowles and Lamar Giles

Amy Baker sports her Christmas Ugly Sweater! Her words, not mine!

Staff of Chilton County Extension Office

L-R Trisha Williams watching Gail Brooks open her Dirty Santa gift

Trisha Williams says to Kathy Oakes, ” Here, let me help you😊❗️”

Christmas Village decorations — Christmas Village

The Gift of Herbs: Our November Program

Posted on December 13, 2023December 13, 2023 by trisha

Our own Dr. Betsy Smith, current Vice President of the Herb Society of America, presented Open the Gift of Herbs…for use and Delight. Betsy taught us that herbs are plants that are valued for flavor, fragrance, economic or industrial use, medicinal or insecticidal qualities. We learned that there are five herb families: mint, aster, carrot, amaryllis and laurel. Did you know that various parts of the plants are used? This incudes leaves, sap, bark, flowers, bulbs, roots and even seeds. Betsy also discussed growing, harvesting, cooking and preserving herbs.

November is officer election month for CCMGA. Our 2024 officers are: President, Skip Coulter; Vice President, Betsy Smith; Secretary, Kerry Rush; and Treasurer, Judy Cobb. Congratulations to our new group of officers!

Post by Trisha Williams; Photos by Lynn Webb and Trisha Williams

L-R Secretary Kerry Rush, President Skip Coulter, Treasurer Judy Cobb, V. President Betsy Smith

V. President Leslie Durham (Right) presents Betsy Smith with presenters gift.

October Meeting

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by trisha

Our October meeting featured Lee County MG Dennis Pinkard and his program on Snake Awareness. Dennis has combined his love of gardening with his desire to do no harm to snakes. He discussed snake myths such as a snake will chase you. He says the snake has an escape route and you just happen to be in the way. He shared photographs of snakes and talked about how to identify specific snakes such as venomous Timber Rattlesnake, Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth) and Copperhead. He also shared photos of several non- venomous snakes. To minimize snake encounters keep your hands and feet out of areas you can not see and keep debris picked up. When you encounter a snake outside leave it alone and let it go on its way.

Our own Betsy Smith, a certified yoga instructor, led stretching exercises during our break. She encouraged us to do these exercises to improve flexibility, balance and posture. What a fun break! Thank you, Betsy!

Dennis Pinkard presenting ”Snake Awareness”

MG Betsy Smith leads yoga stretching during break.

Native Plant Conservation

Posted on October 23, 2023October 24, 2023 by trisha

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 program

V. P. Leslie Durham presenting the handmade wooden pen to the speaker, Patrick Thompson

Square Foot Gardening

Posted on July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 by trisha

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 Gardeners

VISITING THE UK

Posted on April 29, 2023May 16, 2023 by audrey

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

February-“Got Sun-Grow Food”

Posted on February 17, 2023March 19, 2023 by audrey

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

January Meeting

Posted on February 17, 2023February 17, 2023 by trisha

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”.

Past V.P. Gail Brooks, presenting past President Pat Farmer with her outgoing gift.

Christmas Fun!

Posted on December 30, 2022January 15, 2023 by audrey

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

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

Posted on November 14, 2022November 15, 2022 by audrey

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