Awards and More

Posted on February 23, 2024February 24, 2024 by trisha

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!!

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)

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

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❗️❗️

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

Posted on February 19, 2024February 19, 2024 by audrey

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.

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

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

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

March Native Plants

Posted on April 13, 2023May 10, 2023 by audrey

Our program for March was presented by Chilton County Master Gardener Trisha Williams, who shared with us her PowerPoint, “Native Plants in Grandmother’s Garden”. Trisha shared many native plant species with corresponding photos that included, but certainly not limited to, Bird’s Foot Violets, Columbine, Foxglove Beardtongue, Tall Ironweed and Red Buckeye. She reminded the membership of the 1973 Endangered Species Act regarding the harvesting of natives from the wild, and instead recommended the use of reputable nurseries. A handout with information and resources on native plants was provided.
Harriett Jackson and Hugh Nichols shared a research opportunity that’s under the guidance of ACES’s lead Dani Carroll and the Alabama Smart Yards educational program. Participants are being solicited for home vegetable variety trials. They will be provided seeds and will participate in collecting data related to plant date, quantity planted, emergence date, flowering date, first and last yield date, etc. Potential MG participation and additional information will be forthcoming.
Leslie Durham talked about the need for the association to create a Fundraising Committee.
Reports were given on the Demo Garden, the Extension Office Beds, and the Recreation Bldg Beds, with the last one being a work in progress.
Several volunteer opportunities were discussed.
Our Hospitality Committee was commended for their beautiful St. Patrick’s Day table decorations and also the volunteers who coordinated the food snacks. And many thanks to Betsy Smith for donating the Rosemary Sugar Cookie-filled coffee mug door prizes!!

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

When and Where to Volunteer

Posted on January 15, 2023June 29, 2024 by trisha

Volunteer opportunities are sent to members by email and posted on “Chilton County MGA Members” Facebook page. The Extension Office often request volunteers for events, 4H and SNAP-ED. The following activities are ongoing.

DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

DATE: 1st and 3rd Monday, March through November
(5th Monday TBA) Rain date and Monday holidays move to
Tuesday
TIME: 8 AM-10 AM
LOCATION: Chilton Research and Extension Center
120 Co Rd 756 Clanton, AL 35045
CONTACTS: Hugh Nichols 256-506-7953 Kerry Rush 205-616-3471

CHILTON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE BEDS

DATE: 2nd and 4th Mondays, March through November
(5th Mondays TBA) Rain date and Monday holidays move to
Tuesday
TIME: 8am-10am
LOCATION: Chilton County Extension Office
504 1st Ave. N. Clanton, AL 35045
CONTACTS: Bobby Atkinson 205-919-3115 Gail Brooks 256-366-1536

CLANTON RECREATION CENTER

Volunteers will be requested to help maintain the beds around the building and the sign and to help water all the beds throughout the summer.
CONTACTS: Pat Farmer 205–933-3090 Amy Baker 205-913-4862

MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE

2024 DATES: Every Friday
TIME: 9am-12pm
LOCATION: Chilton County Extension Office (home option)
CONTACT: Hugh Nichols 256-506-7953

Below are the GUIDELINES, PROCEDURES, &
FINDING ANSWERS to guide you in working the
HELPLINE. Scrool way down page. They may also be printed out.

Helpline-Guidelines

Helpline Procedures

Finding Answers

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