|
|
|
|
Ah, summer time! Extension Master Gardeners are springing into action all over the state, and we will do our best to keep you on top of everything that's happening. It's a joy and an honor to follow the accomplishments of this talented and committed group of people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight On Delta County MGA:
Bay de Noc Gardening Conference
|
|
|
|
|
Participants in Abbey Palmer's class get a feeling for seed saving. Some said the feeling was a "new respect for the effort involved in the process".
|
|
Both attendees and organizers gave high marks to the 20th annual spring Bay de Noc Gardening Conference in Escanaba.
On Saturday, April 21, some 140 registrants from throughout the Upper Peninsula, plus a few from Wisconsin, attended the all-day conference at Bay College. The conference offered five different subjects for each of the day’s four session, and attendees pre-registered for their choices. Fruit and vegetable gardening classes (seed saving basics, small fruits, growing in raised beds), as well as a cooking demonstration by award-winning certified chef Robin Holmes featuring different varieties of squash, were conference options. Ornamental gardening subject included hardscapes, coneflowers, willow in the garden, rock garden plants, Siberian iris and peonies, companion planting, and perennials and garden design. In addition, registrants could attend presentations on lawn care, attracting birds, growing houseplants, pruning, vermicomposting, and more—20 different classes in all.
New this year—the first time instructor Poppy Hatinger of Negaunee has offered this class—was “Eco Prints: A Garden to Dye For.” Poppy, who was probably destined to be a gardener but is also a pharmacist, demonstrated the fundamentals of contact printing color and images directly from plant material to paper or fabric. She describes the process as “a mixture of garden plant knowledge, alchemy, magic and luck, all achieved in eco-friendly acts.” Poppy, who is much admired by gardeners in the central Upper Peninsula for her well-presented, well-planned and clearly illustrated classes, also taught the willow session.
|
|
|
Poppy Hatinger creates more willowphiles (a neologism--but it's just what she does).
|
|
The Delta County Master Gardeners Association, with the leadership of retired MSU-Extension Agent Warren Schauer, began planning the event in November of 2017. The committee developed a roster of 13 presenters, including two members of the Delta County Master Gardener Association and three extension experts (Scott Reuss from UW-Extension in Marinette, WI; Jim Isleib, MSU Extension Educator from Munising; and Abbey Palmer, MSU UP Research and Extension Center North Farm Coordinator in Chatham).
Next year’s conference is tentatively scheduled for April 27. Updated information will be available on the conference’s Facebook page, Bay de Noc Gardening Conference, after planning begins in November.
Thank you, Darolyn Spannuth, for the article and photos!!
|
|
|
Presenters Belinda Collins (left) and Jill Reuss enjoy some lighter moments (and a cinnamon roll) before their classes begin.
|
|
|
|
Conference participants enjoy a soup and salad lunch in Bay Cafe.
|
|
 MMGA is pleased to welcome Melville Kennedy, Genessee County Master Gardener, to the Board of Directors. Mel is already a very active member of MMGA as he manages the Facebook page and is a member of the Communications Committee and the Membership Committee.
Thanks, Mel, for stepping up yet again! You're an inspiration to all of us.
Sue Aagaard and Belinda Laughlin were re-elected to the board. We deeply appreciate their continued service!
|
|
On April 28, the Upper Peninsula Master Gardener Association’s presentation of Tri-City Quality Compost given by Paul Altobello, Director of the Ishpeming Wastewater Facility, was enjoyed by 40 in person attendees. In addition, a number of people attended via a webinar.
Mr. Altobello is a graduate of the Northern Michigan University Wastewater Technology Program. He has 33 years of experience in wastewater treatment and waterline construction. In his spare time, Paul likes to develop tracts of land to improve the growing capacity and health of the environment in order to support wildlife.
In this presentation, we learned how valuable the bio-solid compost is, learned that it surpasses many of the EPA standards and passes all of them. The lecture was an hour and a half long with the audience participating in many questions along with a drawing for two pick-up truck loads of the compost for free.
This was a fun, educational experience for everyone.
(Thank you, Linda Andriacchi, for sharing.)
|
|
|
The heat and humidity didn’t keep gardeners away from Specialty Growers Spring Open House in Howell over Memorial Day weekend. Specialty Growers, which offers current MMGA members a 10% discount, hosts an annual open house. This year’s event featured speaker and Michigan Gardener’s contributing garden writer, Julia Hofley, a confessed plant collector. Hofley shared her “Favorite Fifty” plants along with stories about her beginning adventures in gardening. She talked about how her gardening passion evolved from house plants in an apartment to developing Hofley’s Hillside Garden Theatre with her husband Eric, Publisher/Editor of Michigan Gardener magazine.
|
|
In her talk Julia shared information about creating pleasing combinations and colorful garden vignettes using the fifty plants on her list (all of which are available at Specialty Growers).
Specialty Growers is known for offering hundreds of perennials, annuals and herbs which are out door grown plants, acclimated to Michigan’s weather. During my visit to their gardens I saw final spring blossoms that were giving way to early summer blooming plants including peonies and Camassia Blue Danube. I n 2018 many new varieties of plants have been added for full sun to full shade. New varieties include Baptisia and Buddleia known for their shorter, compact habit. More native plant varieties have been added this year including Heliopsis ‘Bleeding Hearts’.
|
|
|
What draws me back to Specialty Growers annually is a very knowledgeable staff including owner Karen Bovio who can usually be found in the gardens or helping shoppers. She has an extensive knowledge and background in horticulture. Shoppers are encouraged to stroll through all the display gardens and to ask questions. For more information about Specialty Growers please visit the website. (Thank you,Sue Aagaard, for the article and photos.)
|
|
|
|
Presenter Julia Hofley and Specialty Growers owner Karen Bovio
|
|
2018 Master Gardener College |
|
|
Harvesting Excitement at Master Gardener College
Save the Dates: September 14-15, 2018
Two keynote speakers have been confirmed for the 2018 Master Gardener College in September. Joining us will be William “Bill” Cullina of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Karl Gercens III of Longwood Gardens. Cullina and Gercens will speak on Saturday. Also featured at this year’s Master Gardener College are tours and workshops on Friday and educational sessions on Saturday. Planning continues on the event which will be on the campus of Wayne County Community College District in Belleville, Michigan.
About the Keynote Speakers:
William (Bill) Cullina, Executive Director/President of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine will talk on Sugar, Sex and Poison: Shocking Plant Secrets Caught on Camera. Cullina is not just an accomplished horticulturist, he is also an outstanding photographer, author, lecturer. During this thought-provoking presentation, he will share how a world of pollen, poisons, pigments, pheromones, sugars and sex translates to sound gardening practices from which we can all benefit.
Inspire ME! is the title of the talk to be given by Karl Gercens III, Conservatory Horticulturist at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Gercens’ horticultural passion extends worldwide with frequent visits to public and private gardens in all 50 states and over 20 countries! With the goal of inspiring other gardeners, Karl chronicles and shares his travels through vibrant, vivid digital photographs. He also integrates many of these new ideas into the exquisite conservatory displays at the world-renowned Longwood Gardens.
Sponsors Sought:
Meanwhile the sponsorship committee is actively seeking sponsorships that will enable them to offer scholarships for deserving master gardeners who otherwise could not attend and to defray costs of putting on this wonderful program. Sponsorships are critical to keeping this event accessible to all.
The committee is seeking corporations and private foundations that are linked to Master Gardeners and who value our mission. If you can help the sponsorship committee connect with potential sponsors email Michele Worden at wordenwood@msn.com.
For more information about Harvesting Excitement at the 2018 Master Gardener College, please visit the website. Watch your email – registration will be open soon!
|
|
2018 MMGA Leadership Conference |
|
|
Over 20 leadership team members from Michigan Master Gardener Association Affiliate Chapters gathered in Mt. Pleasant in early May for a day of information sharing and discussion.
The day kicked off with a virtual meeting with Mary Wilson, MSUE Master Gardener Coordinator. During the meeting with Mary discussion focused on several key areas including:
- Volunteer Project Approval Forms and statewide volunteer projects. Mary touched on how often projects need to be re-reviewed for ongoing projects as well as criteria considered when evaluating projects to qualify for master gardener volunteer time. The first question to be asked, she said, is if the project supports the EMG mission.
- Adding educational components to projects. Several ways affiliates are adding educational components to the program were discussed along with several visual illustrations. A list of ways to add educational components to master gardener projects, prepared by MMGA Director Sue Aagaard, can be found on our website.
- MSU Branding Standards for All University Programs including changes to the Michigan Master Gardener program logo, royalties fees and required use of licensed vendors.
- Assessing the Need and Feasibility for a MSUE Master Gardener Program in Your Community, i.e. class availability. Mary reviewed the cost issues: how much money it takes for speakers, venue, IT support, copying and email expenses and the cost of class refreshments as well as the number of participant sign ups required to get a class scheduled.
- Background checks, both for criminal history and sex offences, for training course participants and recertified EMGs. Checks will begin in late 2018.
Fundraising:
Next up was Rebecca Teahen, Executive Director for Resource Development and Foundation of Northwestern Michigan College, who talked about the current state of philanthropy. A copy of her PowerPoint is available on our website.
Rebecca discussed how 72% of fundraising comes from individuals and that most people give to change lives or save lives.
Other topics discussed included:
- The pyramid of giving
- The hierarchy of success with examples of direct mail and face-to-face contact
- The donor cycle: identifying, discovering and cultivating donors
- Planned giving
- The problems with undervaluing the price of a gift item
- IRA distributions at 70½ years of age.
Rebecca spoke before lunch and after lunch did a role play with Montcalm County Master Gardener Association president Nancy Malinowski to demonstrate how to have a conversation with a prospective donor.
Publicity
MMGA President Ruth Steele Walker, who worked in journalism and public relations, talked about gaining publicity for your organization. Her focus was on identifying the key issues in gaining traditional publicity: print and broadcast. A copy of her PowerPoint can be viewed on our website and questions about publicity issues can be emailed to her at ruthsteelewalker@duenorth.us.
Governance
MMGA Treasurer Colleen Petersen ended the day with a brief discussion of governance.
Special Appreciation Goes To
Sue Aagaard, Leadership Committee Chair; Belinda Laughlin who made the arrangements for the facility, the Isabella Commission on Aging building and the delicious lunch, to all the affiliate chapter leaders who took time out of their busy schedules to attend and to the MMGA Board of Directors who presented or otherwise helped make the day run smoothly.
If you'd like to see more photos, please click on this LINK.
|
|
|
|
2018 MMGA Board of Directors.
|
|
Volunteer Opportunities with MMGA |
|
|
If you thought summer was the only time to get in volunteer hours think again. Consider volunteering your talents to the MMGA on one of our key committees.
MMGA is an all-volunteer organization and we could use more help in continuing to build the organization. After only four years we’ve accomplished a lot but there is always more to do. Currently we have five standing committees including:
- Communications
- Finance
- Leadership
- Membership
- Strategic Planning
We can use members on all these committees. We need and want input and assistance from EMGs all over the state so we can do the best job possible in supporting all our members and the Michigan Master Gardener program.
We Need Skilled Volunteers
Do you have experience in communications? In accounting? Do you have skills in event planning? Are you an accomplished speaker on a topic of interest to our affiliate leadership – information that will help them continue to build strong local and regional groups? Do you have EMG contacts throughout the state that you could use to help build our membership program? Do you have a background in coaching or organizational development?
We can use your skills. And you can help the MMGA grow and develop while earning volunteer hours for yourself!
Our board and committee members live all over the state, so most meetings are held online. We try to make it as easy as possible to volunteer with MMGA and any hours spent on MMGA business counts for recertification.
Any volunteer organization is only as good as the volunteers who dedicate time and energy to it. We all know that master gardeners are among the best. We really hope that a few of you will raise your hands and sign on for a committee position.
For more information, contact info@mmgainc.org.
|
|
|
|
MMGA Executives 2016-2017
Ruth Steele-Walker, President
Diana Zeimen, Vice President
Vicki Laurin, Secretary
Colleen Petersen, Treasurer
MSUE Advisor
Mary Wilson
|
|
MMGA Board of Directors
Linda Andriacchi, Director
Belinda Laughlin, Director
Norman Scherr, Director
Sue Aagaard, Director
Melville Kennedy, Director
|
|
|
About MMGA
The Michigan Master Gardener Association is a non-profit corporation with an all-volunteer board. We invite you to become involved as a volunteer and a member. Membership is open to every Master Gardener volunteer in good standing, which includes recertified Master Gardeners and volunteers in training. The cost is just $5.00! It’s less than the cost of going to a movie or out to lunch, yet that $5.00 individual membership fee helps pay for the critical liability insurance coverage that none of us can afford to be without. Your commitment to our association will help keep this insurance affordable for everyone.
Visit www.michiganmastergardener.org to join.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
