Master Gardeners on North Alabama celebrate 25th anniversary

(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Master Gardeners of North Alabama can take pride in their impressive work during the past 25 years.

Their 25th anniversary social will be held on June 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Huntsville Botanical Garden. “Past, present and other interested individuals in the master gardener program are invited to attend,” member Rose Berry said.

Madison Mayor Troy Trulock has proclaimed June 9 as “Master Gardeners of North Alabama Day” for their continuous civic improvements.

These accomplished gardeners in Madison County logged 30,999 online volunteer hours in 2012 to top the list for the state of Alabama. The staff in Auburn University’s master gardener program trained the local volunteers.

In addition, the Master Gardeners consistently have provided thousands of volunteers hours for 25 years to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound (CASA), Huntsville Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity and other civic groups.

In outreach work, “the Master Gardeners regularly offer gardening workshops to the public, conduct soil pH testing at community events, staff the ‘Ask A Master Gardener’ help line at the Madison County extension office and provide helpful information to home gardeners at demonstration gardens, events and garden centers,” Berry said.

Members also speak to garden clubs, civic and school groups and homeowner associations.

“What an impact this group has made on so many across North Alabama,” Paula Steigerwald said. She is CEO of Huntsville Botanical Garden. “We are profoundly grateful and offer them a warm thank you for all that has been accomplished through their efforts. ”

In charitable giving, Master Gardeners of North Alabama contribute to the Auburn University Endowment fund and the recently established Jane R. Parks Memorial Grant Fund, which awards money to existing, qualified horticultural projects in Madison County.

For gardening help, call “Ask a Master Gardener” at 256-532-1578 in Huntsville or the statewide Help line at 877-252-4769. For more information, mginfo.org.