Fountains of Knowledge

Posted on by trisha

Several Chilton County Master Gardeners recently attended the Alabama Master Gardener Association Annual Conference in Prattville, AL. The theme was “Fountains of Knowledge: Learn, Share, Grow.” The opening day featured self guided tours of the Autauga County Demo Garden; PrattVillage (Old Prattvillage is a collection of structures from the 1800’s, one features a beautiful garden maintained by the Autauga County Master Gardeners); Lanark (The Alabama Nature Center at Lanark offers 350 acres of forests, fields, streams, wetlands and ponds with five miles of boardwalks), and a visit to Petals from the Past Nursery. Garden related craft workshops were offered including Whimsical Garden Art, Floral Design, and more.
The speakers were outstanding and their presentations covered several gardening areas. The first afternoon featured Joe Lamp’l (aka Joe the Gardener), who gave a presentation on the “Ecological Gardening Blueprint: 10 Essential Steps”. “Bluebirds and their Habitat” was presented by Wesley Anderson, Ph.D, Assistant Professor in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University; Betsy Smith, Chilton County MGA member and the President of the Herb Society of America, presented “Opening the Gifts of Herbs with Kids.”; Jason Reeves, Research Horticulturist and Curator at West Tennessee Research And Education Center in Jackson, MS, gave a talk on ”Friends in the Shade: Keeping Your Hostas Company” and another on “The Making of a Garden.”

Kudos to Chilton County Master Gardener Harriett Jackson, who was elected to the AMGA Board as Member at Large. Our association also received an AMGA Project Funding Grant to ”Work Smarter Not Harder” which will provide tools for our Demonstration Garden. Hugh Nichols was there to receive the check.

We learned so much and enjoyed visiting with Master Gardeners from across Alabama and sharing ideas. Congratulations to Autauga County Master Gardeners for all their hard work that went into the planning and carrying out of a Great conference!
Photos by Trisha Williams and Amy Baker
Post by Trisha Williams and Audrey Giles

L-R Amy Baker, Harriett Jackson, Diane Clapp, Judy Cobb, Hugh Nichols, Trisha Williams, Beverly Williamson, Sharon Hosch, and Betsy Smith at 2024 AMGA Conference
Betsy Smith, Chilton County MGA member and the President of the Herb Society of America, presents “Opening the Gifts of Herbs with Kids.”
Hugh Nichols, V.P. of Chilton County MGA, receiving the grant check for Project Funding Grant ”Work Smarter, Not Harder” for tools for our Demonstration Garden, Congratulations!
New Board Members being sworn in; our Harriett Jackson, on right side, was elected as Board Member at Large.
L-R Trisha Williams and Judy Cobb taking a rest at one of the old houses at PrattVillage
Sharon Hosch, not tired or asleep, but practicing some of Betsy Smith’s visualization relaxation exercises.