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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

PROJECT OF THE YEAR: Clanton Recreation Center Phase II

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❗️❗️

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!!