Gardening Seminar Set for January 14

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1 Gardening Seminar Set for January 14 THE 7TH ANNUAL GARDENING SEMINAR, FARM TO TABLE; THE FRESHEST FOODS ARE IN OUR OWN BACK YARDS will be Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 7:30 AM -12:00 Noon at the West Monroe Convention Center. Pre-register now to reserve your place or register at the door. To pre-register, print and return the registration form on page 7 or stop by the LSU AgCenter. Judy Barrett Keynote Speaker Founding editor and publisher of Homegrown: Good Sense Organic Gardening Judy Barrett is the author of several gardening books including Tomatillos: A Gardener s Dream, A Cook s Delight, How To Become An Organic Gardener in 7 Easy Steps, and What Can I Do With My Herbs, which was published in Her title What Makes Heirlooms Plants So Great? Was published by Texas A&M Press in Her newest book, Easy Edibles: How To Grow and Enjoy Fresh Food was published in She is a regular columnist for the Austin American-Statesman and an occasional columnist on gardening for Edible Austin, ACRES U.S. A. and the Harris Old Farmer s Almanac. David Young Founder of Capstone, a non-profit in the lower 9th Ward David Young spent 10 years in commercial agriculture in Indiana and Michigan and completed the Michigan State University Ag Tech Dairy Production program when the farm economy forced him to go in a different direction. He went into a 22 year career in law enforcement, including five years as Chief of Police in Indiana. In 2008, he left full time employment and became a full time volunteer with Brethren Disaster Ministries. Inside the Gardener s Scoop John Cotton Dean Director of Regional Innovation for the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance Dean has helped lead CLEDA s Central Louisiana Local Food Initiative which aims to strengthen Central Louisiana s local food economy. Dean is from Washington State and graduated from Iowa State University in 2012 with both a Master of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and a Master of Community and Regional Planning. DOOR PRIZES.REFRESHMENTS.DEMONSTRATIONS.FREE SEED.PLANTS FOR SALE Registration $20 Pre-registration and walk-ins are welcome, and be sure to invite others! Makes checks payable to NELAMG 1 Gardening Seminar 2-3 To Inside Leaves & Family Trees Graduating Class 5 Centerpiece Contest Rules 6 Activities Calendar 7 Seminar Registration Form Gardener s Scoop January 2017 Page 1

2 To Inside Leaves and Family Trees by Rose Lee During this time at the end of the year, cold temperatures and frequently inclement weather prevent us from doing much on the outside. These conditions make the winter season a great time for focusing on indoor chores. For me, one of these tasks is providing extra attention to my interior plants. Beyond the regular watering and care, I find comfort and relaxation in pruning and spritzing, pulling dead leaves, adding fresh soil, and otherwise babying my inside greenery. The end of one year and the beginning of another is also a time for reflection and reminiscing. Family memories of loved ones, both living and deceased, tend to flood our minds. Just as in nature, where a tiny acorn can bear forth a majestic oak tree; so, too, can the seeds of two individuals, whose offspring can create a strong and mighty family tree. It is this symbolic tree that binds us all to our ancestors, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and beyond. As you can see on the attached pictures, my love of plants is not relegated to just the outside landscape. House plants are an integral part of my interior décor, adding not only warmth and beauty, but also color and texture. Whether for a splash of color, a centerpiece arrangement, or a camouflage for unsightly wall sockets; for seasonal décor, room ambience, or merely sentimental reasons, the house plants in my home help to enhance my living environment in so many worthwhile ways. In addition, their air-purifying qualities help to create a healthy living environment. For these reasons, it is at this time that I pause to pay homage to the beautiful foliage that has provided such ambient beauty and warmth to the inside of my own home. To pay homage to my own family, this holiday season I set out to complete a rather ambitious project as a gift for each of my siblings and their immediate offspring; namely, a personalized family calendar depicting pictures and birthdays of five generations of family members. While the process was somewhat time-consuming, I am happy to say that the finished products were a great success. And I learned so much about the individual members. The looks of excitement in identifying photos of other family members, pleasure in locating personal birthdays, as well as bonding while sharing pictures from personal calendars, made all the hard work worthwhile. Even more enjoyable, I was able to see and personally present my custom-made Gardener s Scoop January 2017 Page 2

3 gift to almost all of the recipients at our annual family Christmas gathering. What a joy it was to mingle among the branches and leaves of my own personal tree. As the winter season begins and cold or inclement weather limits our outside activities, I invite you to get back to your roots : to spend a little bonding time with your house plants, to explore your family s historical roots, or to complete that project you have been putting off for a while now. Most important, as winter arrives, I invite you to join me in giving thanks that another season has arrived, and we are truly blessed to still be alive. NELA MG Board Members President Christy Francis Vice President Lisa Richardson Secretary Virginia Lee Treasurer Steve Thomas Recorder Linda Tubbs Historian Lillian Matthews Member-at-Large Warren Daniels Gardener s Scoop January 2017 Page 3

4 2016 Master Gardener Graduating Class Bottom Row (l to r): Martha Miller, Sherry Parker, Linda Osse, and Jenanne Coleman Middle Row (l to r): Rebecca Harrison, Mary Ann Wooten, Joyce Marlette, Heidi Harper, Amanda Norris, Kerry Heafner Top Row (l to r): Cindy Stutts, Kevin Caston, Kenneth Kelley, Megan Carroll, & Patti Fincher Not pictured: Lisa Harp, Michelle Marsala, and Brenda Myers The graduation ceremony for our two Master Gardener classes for 2016 were held at the December 13 meeting, along with the Christmas festivities. There will also be two Master Gardener classes in 2017, the first beginning on March 2. Since there are not many places remaining where Master Gardeners may train, Master Gardeners who will be going to other parishes are welcome to attend our classes. Gardener s Scoop January 2017 Page 4

5 Hospitality Team 1 will host the January MG meeting Andrea Griggs Mary Lou McFarland Theresa Cotton John McGraw Christy Francis 2017 Seminar Centerpiece Contest Rules Please complete the registration form and bring to the AgCenter to Kerry Heafner or to Andrea Griggs, hgg@bellsouth.net. The centerpiece contest is for the NELA Master Gardener Association members only. Address City Zip Title or Theme for your arrangement Lora Fix Glenda Guice Lisa Richardson Helen Hotard Seminar Theme: Farm to Table: The freshest foods are in our own back yards. Make Centerpieces for tables (36 x 36 x 36 or 8 x 24 ) Arrangements should be no higher, longer, or wider than 24 x 24 x 24 Materials must be all natural fresh, dried, twigs, berries, etc. Container can be a part of the design, but must not leak A number will be assigned to each arrangement. No names on arrangements A label to indicate a theme may be typed and placed with the arrangement Other items such as birds, statues, etc. may be used if a theme is used and the item is not the main focal point Time for judging will be 5:00 PM Friday, January 13, Arrangements must be at the Convention Center and in place by 4:30 PM Friday afternoon. Arrangements will be used to decorate the Convention Center and may be picked up after the seminar is over on Saturday. Please take time to make arrangements to use at the Seminar. They add so much to the décor of the Convention Center. You may make more than one arrangement. You may also make arrangements and not enter them to be judged. Prizes for Arrangements First $75.00 Second $50.00 Third $ address Phone Gardener s Scoop January 2017 Page 5

6 Upcoming Activities MG Meeting 6:30 PM Ag Alley 8:30-2 Ag Alley 8:30-2 Centerpiece submission deadline 4:30 Ag Expo 2-8 Gardening Seminar 7:30-12 Ag Expo 9-4 Newsletter article submission deadline REMINDERS Remember to record your hours of training and service on the website regularly. Remember to pay your Master Gardener dues of $15 per person for 2017 by sending to the Ag Center with a designation that it is for your MG dues. Register for the January seminar and pay your $20 (form on page 7). Gardener s Scoop January 2017 Page 6

7 REGISTRATION FORM Farm to Table: The Freshest Foods Are in Our Own Back Yards Please Print Clearly Name Home Phone Cell Phone Address City State Zip Address Yes, please send me notices of other Master Gardener and LSU AG Center events Registration fee: $20.00 Make checks payable to: NELAMG, Mail registration form and check to: NELAMG, 704 Cypress, West Monroe, LA Your registration info provided will never be sold. It is for registration use only. We respect your privacy. Volunteer Service Hours I let the grandchildren talk me into this tree. Curry Farms in Start has lovely trees, which they will flock. This year they had new colors - a strong LSU purple and this Pepto Bismol pink. Purple would clash with my decor, so they talked me into the pink. With lots of pink balls and white stuff, it's not so bad, I guess. Virginia Lee As of December 31, Volunteer Service Hours 392 Continuing Education Hours Do not forget to record your hours! The next Master Gardener meeting is Tuesday January 10, 2017 at the LSU AgCenter. An educational program of the LSU AgCenter The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a service and educational activity offered by the LSU AgCenter. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet educational needs of home gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers. Contact: LSU AgCenter 704 Cypress Street West Monroe, LA (318) Gardener s Scoop January 2017 Page 7