Master Gardeners offer Jane R. Parks Scholarship

MADISON – Civic or school groups in Madison County that offer existing educational projects relating to horticulture can get a boost with a grant from Master Gardeners of North Alabama or MGNA.

The Jane R. Parks Memorial Fund honors the long-time educator and Master Gardener. The grant’s purpose is to fund educational horticulture projects while honoring Parks’ memory.

“Over the years, we have awarded several thousand dollars for these very worthy grants,” Project Chair Janet Boothe said.

“Jane was a passionate educator for 30 years and a gardener for most of her life. She became a Master Gardener in January 2003,” Boothe said. “This memorial grant honors her extraordinary life through teaching and helping others obtain an understanding of the importance and value in growing things of beauty and use and connecting with others to share the wonders of horticulture.”

“Because of this grant, her legacy of friendship, gardening, humor and boundless love for life continues,” Boothe said.

The grant application is available at mginfo.org/grants. Applicants should complete the requested information and submit the application, Boothe said. MGNA will only accept applications submitted electronically.

“The deadline for the MGNA Grant Committee to receive your grant application is Oct. 15,” Boothe said. Grant award amounts range from $100 to $1,000.

“If your nonprofit group or institution has an existing project of this nature and you are needing funding assistance, such as outdoor classrooms, educational landscapes, crop education or others, we would like for you to apply,” Master Gardener Publicist Suzanne Kirkhuff said.

Master Gardeners of North Alabama is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. Membership dues, donations and fundraising efforts support the group’s projects. “We are an active member of the Alabama Master Gardener Association and a fully qualified 501(c)3 non-profit organization,” Kirkhuff said.

For grant details and an application form, visit mginfo.org/grants. MGNA’s membership is comprised of Certified Master Gardeners who are committed to community education of horticulture in the greater Huntsville and Madison area. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System oversees the Alabama Master Gardener Program.

For more information, visit grantcommittee@mginfo.org or mginfo.org.