May Plant Swap

Our May Meeting and Plant Swap was held at Chilton Research and Extension Center at 120 County Road 756, Clanton, 35045.  Autauga and Shelby County members were invited to attend. Michael Thomason, who is the Vice President of AMGA this year, was our speaker. Mr. Thomason spoke about the planning and organizing of the 2019 AMGA Conference, which is being hosted by Chilton County Master Gardener Association.  He compared it to putting a puzzle together, the progress, the completion of the puzzle, and enjoying the fruits of your labor when your done. He commended CCMGA for the progress and efficiency of the planning done so far.

Our guest included our speaker Michael Thomason from Shoals MGA and Extension Regional Agent II Nelson Wynn. Other guests included  Kate Vogel, Merle Schukoske, Myra Healy, and Heidee Vansant from Shelby County and  Ofie McCoy, Tim McCoy, Lanell Tatum, Patti Teel, Cheri Cook, and Lee Thomas from Autauga County.  Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship.  We had a total of 44 present.

May Plant Swap

The speaker at May Plant Swap

Photo of Demo Garden

 

Intern Classes Tour Demo Garden

 

On Thursday, April 26, the Chilton County Master Gardeners welcomed Mallory Kelly and her intern class from Lee and Montgomery counties as they visited the CREC and CCMGA demo garden. Despite the rain and chilly breeze, the interns toured the CREC by wagon and then visited our demo garden. Harriett Jackson, Susan Cleckler, and Alice Broome enjoyed meeting the group, telling them the history of the garden and showing them the various plant beds. The interns were very complimentary of the garden and showed much interest in the designing of the beds, and plant identifications. As usual, the mutual enthusiasm of gardening led to many sharing new tidbits related to their own experiences. We look forward to a return visit from this great group!

Article by Alice Broome

Photos by Susan Cleckler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interns tour Demo Garden in rain

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lee and Montgomery County Interns Tour Garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rock Garden in rain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards for 2017

Members who worked on Demo Garden

Chilton County Master Gardeners held their Awards program this year at the February meeting.  Refreshments and decorations were provided by the members, with a Valentine theme.  The Helpline Top Hours were: 4+ Days – Pat Farmer(Chairman), Sarah Saunders, Lanell Baker, & Ann Moore; 3+ Days – Bonnie Hairrell.  The Top Hours Category was awarded to: Harriett Jackson, 905.50, Audrey Giles 581, and Alan Reed, 480.50. The Top CEU hours went to Jimmy and Mildred Knowles with 46.50.  The Service Project of the Year was the Demonstration Garden Redesign. The Master Gardener of the Year award went to Audrey Giles.
Silver Stars were awarded to Bob Bates, Paula Blevins-Russell, Lamar Giles, Kimberly Lynn, Anita McGee, and Ann Moore. Gold Stars were awarded to Treasia Bennett, Linda Hays, Lee Walters, and Wally Walters. A Gold Badge was awarded to Alice Broome (1000+ hours), and a Platinum Badge to Harriett Jackson (2000+ hours). The badges themselves will be presented at the AMGA conference.
The program was presented by MG Harriett Jackson on Butterfly gardening. Old and new business discussed was the upcoming Water Festival, items needed for Silent Auction basket for the AMGA conference, advisory council update, correctly reporting hours to service report site, fundraising ideas, upcoming tours, walking trail to be built at Minooka Park, propagation class at Petals, upcoming “Ask a Master Gardener” days at Garrison’s Farm and Home Supply, progress of 2017 intern class, update on registration for AMGA conference in Huntsville in May,  and CCMGA being FIRST association in Alabama to use the e-newsletter! Here’s a SMILEBOX slideshow of photos from the program that day.

Demo Garden Grand Opening

Rock Garden in Demo Garden

The Chilton County Master Gardeners Association’s newly designed Demonstration Garden will have its Grand Opening on August 6, 2016 at 11:30 at the Chilton Research and Extension Center off of Highway 29.

Afterwards the Farm, Home and Wildlife EXPO will start with free tastes of fruit, ice creams, peach salsa and other culinary delights. Many presentations are offered for home and farm, along with exhibits for all ages.
Everyone is invited to attend!

(Photos by Sondra Henley)

 


 

 

 

Demo Garden Phase I, II, and III almost complete!

 

Knot Garden in Demo Garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Demo Garden redesign continues to be a work in progress, but is right  on schedule as far as Phase I, II, and III are concerned. The Grand Opening is scheduled for August 6, 2016, the day of the EXPO at Chilton Research and Extension Center. The public is invited to attend.Watch for upcoming information.

Jr. Master Gardener Day

Junior MG group of children leaning about gardening

On March 29th, several Chilton County Master Gardener members participated in a Jr. MG’s in Training Day held at Chilton Research & Extension Center. Josine Walter, ACES 4-H Regional Extension Agent held the workshop/training day in preparation for our organization starting a Jr. Master Gardener program in Chilton County. We really hope we can get this program up and running in the near future.