The Hype about Hemp

Posted on February 10, 2021April 29, 2022 by trisha

Then first CCMGA meeting of 2021 was held on February 9 at the Clanton National Guard Armory. Thirty-four mask-wearing members met in the large bay which gave us room to be socially distanced. We did not meet in December or January so it was nice to see everyone, even though we were 6 feet apart!

Our speaker, Jessica Kelton, Alabama Cooperative Extension System REA for Farm and Agribusiness presented her program, “The Hype about Hemp”. Hemp was first grown in Alabama for CBD oil, fiber and grain in 2019. There are regulations and oversight for growing hemp. For CBD production growers use cloned plants as female plants are needed. Mixed seedlings are planted to grow hemp for fiber or grain. We learned that hemp does not like “wet feet” but needs irrigation. After harvest the plants must be hung to dry much like tobacco. This can be a challenge in

Alabama’s humid climate.

After the program, we had our usual business meeting where we approved the 2021 Budget, announced our Plant Sale for April 17 to be held at Goose Pond Park, announced Ask a Master Gardener being held at Garrison’s from Feb 29 through April 10, and heard a report of the February Advisory Cancel meeting by Council representative Harriett Jackson. L

February Meeting Location

Posted on February 4, 2021February 11, 2021 by audrey

The Chilton County Master Gardener February meeting will be Tuesday, the 9th at 9:30. The meeting will be at the Alabama National Guard Armory, 406 Airport Road, Clanton, AL.

The program will be presented by Jessica Kelton, (Extension Agent). The program will be “THE HYPE ABOUT HEMP” This should be very interesting!

ALL MEMBERS & INTERNS PLEASE COME! Bring your chair, mask, and a drink if so desired.

Fun For February

Posted on February 2, 2021April 5, 2021 by audrey

We only have one member this month with a birthday; Sarah Justiss. Happy Birthday, Sarah!
Our February meeting will be this coming Tuesday, the 9th at Alabama National Guard Armory , 406 Airport Road, Clanton. The program will be “The Hype About Hemp?” The meeting starts at 9, and your attendance is always important! So bring a chair, your own drink if you so desire, and your mask. See you there!

January birthdays

Posted on January 23, 2021April 5, 2021 by audrey

The first month of this year, 2021, is off to a slow start for Chilton County Master Gardeners. We chose not to have a meeting this month, because of COVID-19. But we will have a meeting in February at the Alabama National Guard Armory on Airport Road. And we can’t wait for spring to get back to work in the Demo Garden and the project at Jemison Middle School. In the meantime, we do want to wish all our members born in January a very Happy Birthday!

Congratulations Interns!

Posted on January 14, 2021February 11, 2021 by trisha

Master Gardener Interns have had a difficult time earning volunteer hours to become certified this past year due to, of course, COVID 19 restrictions. CCMGA is pleased to congratulate Patricia Agee, Gail Brooks, Linda Church, Julie Garris, Sharon Hosch, Jane Rabey, Jim Rabey and Rae Ann Wright on becoming certified Alabama Master Gardeners during this difficult year. Volunteer activities included not only gardening activities but even mask making! There are eight more 2020 Interns working towards their certification and we encourage them to help with upcoming Master Gardener volunteer opportunities as much as possible!

“About CCMGA”

Posted on January 13, 2021September 21, 2021 by audrey

We would like to introduce our 2021 Officers, Board members, and Team Leaders. This website page is kind of hidden, along with a few others. If you will click on the three bars in the green ribbon at the top left of the home page, you will see several items listed. Click on the “About CCMGA” and that takes you to another set of sub menus. There you will see History, 2021 Officers, Board Members, and Team Leaders, etc. Each heading that has a > beside it has sub menus with more categories. I know this sounds elementary, but a few can use a little help. Please look around, you might see something you’ve never seen before!

Officers

Board members

Our Octogenarians for 2021

Posted on January 6, 2021February 11, 2021 by audrey

Regretfully three of our treasured Octogenarians passed away during 2020; E.C. Lewis, who was one of the founding members of Chilton County Master Gardener Association, Bob Bates, and Margaret Ennis. This is always very hard for us, especially this year with so many having Covid-19 and having loved ones sick with that, too. They will surely be missed. But on a brighter note, we gained two in our Octogenarian group; Wally Walters and Jimmy Knowles. Now whether or not they think reaching 80 is a good thing or not remains to be seen! I guess you could say Yes or No, according to how you look at it. Anyway, we always love our 80’s members and love seeing you at the meetings!

Another Certified Master Gardener

Posted on December 1, 2020December 1, 2020 by trisha

Chilton County Master Gardeners welcome Jane Rabey, our newest certified Master Gardener. After weeks of classes and Covid-19 cancellations Jane has earned 50 volunteer hours to become a certified Master Gardener. Congratulations Jane!

The Discovery Center is a “Work in Progress”!

Posted on November 15, 2020February 11, 2021 by audrey

Today was a fun day!! Some of the Chilton County Master Gardeners spent their morning helping plant a garden in the Discovery Center at Jemison Intermediate School (JIS).

The Discovery Center has been made possible by grants from Cawaco RC&D Inc., Central Alabama Electric Coop, and also from donations from state representative Jimmy Martin (who passed away last year), Jason Powell and Petals from the Past, and several other volunteers. The garden consists of a Sensory Garden, a Pollinator Garden that includes several plants that are native to the state of Alabama, and in the near future, an Analemmatic sundial. They also have several raised bed vegetable gardens and a pavilion. Areas to be added include a wildlife habitat, a walking trail, a greenhouse and a weather station.

Rachel Mims is the gifted specialist teacher responsible for the outdoor classroom. Jason Powell, owner of Petals from the Past, was also instrumental in getting this project off the ground by designing the garden and donating all the plant materials, landscaping materials and being there to help. Also present today were several current and retired teachers and parents.

CCMGA looks forward to continuing to work on this project and we are grateful to be a part of it. This is what we are all about; teaching and beautifying the community.

Photos by Audrey Giles and Susan Cleckler

Outside, Socially Distanced, Masked!

Posted on November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 by audrey

Chilton County Master Gardeners met for the last time this year at the old meeting place, outside at the Little House at Chilton Research and Extension Center. There was a great turnout, with 30 members, 8 interns, and 1 guest present.

Alice Broom, nominating committee chair, presented the nominations for the 2021 officers. Nominees were President, Pat Farmer; Vice President, Charla Doucet; Treasurer, Audrey Giles; and Secretary Treasia Bennett. President Susan Cleckler asked for any nominations from the Floor and none where given. Lanell Baker made a motion to accept the nominating committee’s recommendations for 2021 Officers. Larry Jones seconded the motion. The Association agreed to the nominations, and the motion passed.

Membership chairman Trisha Williams presented Intern Linda Church, who completed the required hours for membership, her membership badge, certificate of completion, a CCMGA T-shirt and a copy of the bylaws.

Chilton County Master Gardeners are still in the process of locating a meeting place for their meetings for the second Tuesday of every month. Also, we will not be having a Christmas Luncheon this year. Due to the Pandemic, the Board felt that we could not safely serve food and socially distance ourselves. We will not have a December meeting since we do not have a large enough meeting space that would keep us out of any cold weather.

Stay tuned for bigger and better things to come in 2021!!