Helping the Humane Society

Several of the Chilton County Master Gardeners volunteered at the Chilton County Humane Society this past Monday (Sept. 30, 2024) improving the entrance landscape. The windows boxes were planted with pansies, cast iron plants were added to the flower beds, the sidewalk was refreshed and there was even some decorative touches added.
Photos and article by Lyn Webb
Editing and posting by Audrey Giles

Pictured left to right, Teresa Freeman, Lyn Webb, Sharon Hosch, Jerry Farmer, Wally Walters, Pat Farmer, Hugh Nichols, Clair Sluyterman van Loo, and Lee Walters. Not pictured, Harriett Jackson

What’s a Chick Chain?

The Chick Chain is an Alabama Cooperative Extension System 4-H project. The participants receive baby chicks to raise and train for the annual show and auction. They work hard caring for their chickens and learn to keep valuable and up-to-date records. 

The culmination of their efforts is the Show and Auction held each fall at the Chilton Research and Extension Center. This year the counties involved were Autauga, Bibb, Chilton and St. Clair. 

Showing their birds in front of a judge and the audience helps to build confidence. Raising the birds and keeping good records promotes responsibility. 

Volunteers from the Chilton County Master Gardeners Association put together 120 sack lunches for the 4-H’er’s that included a hot dog, potato chips, a home-made cookie (by some of the CCMGA volunteers), and a soft drink. Although we were favored with a few rain showers this year, it was still a fun day for the 4-H’er’s and all the volunteers as well

photos by Audrey Giles and Amy Baker

Microgreens?!

Our Vice President, Betsy Smith, introduced our speaker for our September meeting, Capital City Master Gardener Association’s Janell Diggs (ajdiggst23@yahoo.com), along with intern, Jane Ficquette. The presentation’s title was “Growing and Cooking with Microgreens”. Microgreens are versions of herbs and vegetables in their tiny sprout form. They are 5 times more nutrient dense than full-size plants. Mrs. Diggs provided a hands-on opportunity, supported by her experienced “how to” presentation, which consisted of three main points . . . Supplies, Process, and Cooking. She provided small covered containers filled with the correct soil for sprouting, provided radish seeds and demonstrated how to spread and dampen the seeds with a mister. We took them home, inverted the lid and weighted down the lid with a book. Then when they had sprouted, we took the lid off and in a few days we had microgreens! They can be used on salads, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, used as pizza topping, etc. They are used at high-end restaurants and used by nutritional researchers.

At the request of our members, Mrs. Diggs also discussed the role of Capital City MGA’s Education Committee. Besides the Vice President’s role of program development (monthly speakers), the Committee commits to approximately 3 annual outreach and educational projects per year. The committee selects topics based on interests surveys and assessments. They decide on short-range and long-range goals and then divide the planning and preparation based on various member’s skills. Janell discussed start- up efforts to increase our community presence and to provide horticultural-based learning opportunities. The program was very interesting, as well as immensely helpful to us on setting goals and deciding on yearly outreach programs.
Article based on minutes taken by Kerry Rush
Photos by Audrey Giles and Hugh Nichols

“All About Hostas!”

Our guest speaker for our August meeting was Bionca Lindsey from the Autauga County Master Gardeners Association. Bionca earned her Advanced Master Gardener Certification by learning and teaching “All About Hostas”. She was a very entertaining and informative speaker! 

Photo of Betsy Smith and Bionca Lindsey
V.P. Betsy Smith and special guest speaker Bionca Lindsey

Hostas are the number one selling perennial in the United States. They are native to China and grow in the US zones 3 to 9. There are over 11,000 cultivars of Hosta. They thrive in shade or part shade and require a dormancy period of 4-6 weeks prior to their spring arrival. Bionca shared the many shapes, colors and sizes of Hosta. They are very hardy and can actually be divided any time, but spring and fall are ideal. Fertilize in the spring, using an organic, slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20). A few of their enemies are heat, slugs, deer, voles and even a few viruses. Thank you, Bionca for a wonderful program!

Miscellaneous items from our meeting included approval of the August minutes presented by Kerry Rush; announcing the option of contributing to Chilton County Coordinator Lucy Edwards’ wedding gift; the financial report by treasurer Judy Cobb; various volunteer opportunities for the members by Trisha Williams, Harriett Jackson, and REA Jacob Turner; information on registration for 2 fall conferences; our contribution to the 2025 AMGA Conference’s Silent Auction; update on CCMGA’s published article once a month in the Clanton Advertiser by Sharon Hosch; update on the Conservation Group by Betsy Smith and Hugh Nichols; update on the Demo Garden Shade House activities; and updates about the forming of the Nominating committee. And as always we want to thank our Hospitality Committee and food providers for our wonderful refreshments 🥗🍪🥮☕️❗️We had 32 present with 25 members, 3 interns, and 4 guests!

Special guest speaker Bionca Lindsey

June Meeting: Celebrate and Remember

The June Chilton County Master Gardener meeting was a time to celebrate and remember. We celebrated Betsy Smith for earning her Advanced Master Gardener degree. Betsy’s specialty area is Herb Gardening. Regional Extension Agent Jacob Turner presented her with her certificate and pin. 

Our President Skip Coulter, lead the association in a time of remembrance for three of our recently passed members, Joan Barber, Rick Miller and Alan Reed. Members shared stories and special recollections during a slide show of photos.

Special guests were Kerry Smith, Master Gardener State Coordinator; Devonne Ellis, AMGA President; and Debbie Boutelier, AMGA Vice President. They are visiting MG Associations around the state. It was a treat for members who have never met them.

This month’s program was presented by three of our association’s Conservation Group members, Hugh Nichols, Betsy Smith and Trisha Williams. Our Conservation Group was officially formed in May 2023 and one of the CG’s mission statements is, “To promote education and awareness of native plant species growing in, or around, Chilton County”. To fulfill that mission, the CG has created a presentation template for use in community educational and awareness settings. The presentation identifies the coordinating partners (Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance, U.S. Forest Service, Auburn University Davis Arboretum, to name a few) and begins with the relevance of biodiversity in Alabama. Complete with corresponding photos, topics include native, non-native, and invasive plants. Endangered or at-risk plants are discussed, and the three focus plants of our CG (Mohr’s Barbara Button, Alabama Canebrake Pitcher Plant, and Owls Eye Ginger) are detailed along with accompanying photos of the group on field trip locations. An extensive list of resources that support the group’s goals is provided within the presentation. 

Byline:
Trisha Williams and Kerry Rush
Photos by Audrey Giles

A Moon Garden

Our April program was brought to us by Lee County Master Gardener Dianna Fortner. Dianna is in her final phase of earning her Advanced Master Gardener certificate. Moon gardening is what she is specializing in. A Moon garden is just what it sounds like, a garden that is meant to be enjoyed by the light of the moon. You would use plants with pale or silver foliage and white flowers that bloom in the evenings. Adding a water feature would make sitting in your moon garden just that much more enjoyable! Everyone should try growing one. Thank you, Dianna Fortner for a very interesting program!

We are so saddened to have lost 2 of our members since the meeting on April 9. On April 13, Mrs. Joan Barber lost her life in a car accident on the way home from our Plant Sale. Mrs. Barber was a very kind, quiet, free hearted lady that was known for her baking, crocheting, and making the planter chairs for our Plant Sale. Joan, you will surely be missed!
On April 14, one of our charter members, Alan Reed gave up his long fight against cancer. Mr. Reed was always there to lend a hand; he always kept our irrigation system going in the Demo Garden, helped install the system at the Extension office, always helped with the Plant Sales, just too many things to list them all here. Also he was known for his dry sense of humor. We will miss you❗️R.I.P., dear Alan.

Awards and More

Our February Master Gardener Meeting featured the presentation of an American flag to our association by Ocie DeVaughn, President of Lodge 322 of Woodmen of the World. Thanks to Hugh Nichols for contacting them about how we needed a large flag for our meeting place. We’ve went from a little bitty hand held flag to a nice large flag and a stand alone pole! Thank you, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance for such a nice donation!

Mr. Ocie DeVaughn President of Woodmen of the World Lodge #322

Elizabeth York, current Shelby County MGA President and a former Chilton County MGA member, taught us about growing cool season vegetables. Elizabeth told us that in Alabama we can have select vegetables growing nearly the entire year. The main concern for growing from seeds is the correct soil temperature for germination. For more information on growing vegetables check the Alabama Cooperative Extension System website: www.aces.edu.

V. President Betsy Smith presents the speakers gift to Elizabeth York

FEBRUARY is the time of year for our annual awards presentations and there were many honored this year!

This year we had the privilege of presenting Perfect Attendance certificates to Harriett Jackson and Judy Cobb. Congratulations ladies for attending every meeting in 2023!!

L-R Harriett Jackson and Judy Cobb

Pins for working the MG HELPLINE were presented by the Chairman, Hugh Nichols. Diane Clapp earned a pin for 3 days. Amy Baker, Amelia Bloomfield (absent) Pat Farmer, and Lynn Webb (absent) earned pins for 4 or more days.

L-R Pat Farmer, Amy Baker, Diane Clapp, Hugh Nichols

Trisha Williams presented the STARS awards for volunteer service

BRONZE STARS 100-299 hours)
Bobby Atkinson, Amy Baker, Margariette Hoomes(absent)

L-R Amy Baker and Bobby Atkinson


SILVER STARS (300-499)
Leslie Durham, Peggy McGraw, Hugh Nichols, Susan Parkerson (absent) Kerry Rush

L-R Peggy McGraw, Leslie Durham, Hugh Nichols, Kerry Rush

GOLD STARS (500-999)
Clem Clapp, Judy Cobb, Cheryl Herbster, Ronald Herbster (absent)

L-R Cheryl Herbster, Clem Clapp, Judy Cobb

DIAMOND STAR (8000-9999)
Trisha Williams


Trisha williams

Certificates were presented for:

TOP INTERN HOURS: Bobby Atkinson:

TOP CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: Lyn Webb (absent)

THIRD PLACE VOLUNTEER HOURS: Hugh Nichols

SECOND PLACE VOLUNTEER HOURS: Pat Farmer

FIRST PLACE VOLUNTEER HOURS: Harriett Jackson

L-R Pat Farmer, Harriett Jackson, Bobby Atkinson, Hugh Nichols

PROJECT OF THE YEAR: Clanton Recreation Center Phase II

L-R Bobby Atkinson, April Oaks, Kathy Oaks

For the first time there was a tie for MASTER GARDENER OF THE YEAR! Congratulations goes to Lanell Baker and Hugh Nichols❗️❗️

L-R Lanell Baker and Hugh Nichols

We also want to give a BIG shout out to our HOSPITALITY TEAM! They always do a great job with the decorations and delicious food❗️❗️

L-R Diane Clapp, Jane Rabey, Cheryl Herbster

Congratulations to our award winners and a huge thank you to all our Master Gardener volunteers for all they do!

These are just a few of our members that helped make 2023 a great year!!



A New Year

Our January meeting started off with our new President, Skip Coulter calling the meeting to order. Then member Ron Herbster led the group in the Pledge Alliance to the Flag. President Skip Coulter took a moment to thank Past President Jerry Farmer for his service and dedication this past year.  Jerry was presented a gift card to Petals From the Past from all the members. He then passed the gavel to the new president, Skip Coulter

 This month’s guest speaker, Mrs. Debbie Boutelier, was introduced by Vice President Betsy Smith. Mrs Boutelier currently serves as the Vice President of the Alabama Master Gardener Association. She is an herbalist and has served as the President of the Herb Society of America. She is the owner/consultant of ”Rooted in Thyme Apothecary” in Prattville) Potager Gardening was the topic of Debbie’s presentation. Potager is a French word that means “for the pot”. This type of garden (Jardin in French), is always located near the kitchen, provides vegetables, herbs, and edible & nonedible flowers “for the pot”. Compared to a standard vegetable garden, a potager garden places an emphasis on freshness (as opposed to preservation) and instead of traditional rows, incorporates small, compact areas with design principles. A most interesting program, thank you, Debbie Boutelier! The monthly business meeting was held after that and the meeting was adjourned at 11:31.

Debbie Boutelier 1-24

Speaker and V.P.
V.P. Betsy Smith presents Debbie Boutelier with speakers gift

The Gift of Herbs: Our November Program

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

Betsy Smith presents November program.
Herbs That Grow in the South.
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

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.
Members doing yoga stretching