The Cooperative Extension Service was established in 1862 when Congress passed the Morrill Act which established colleges in each state to be

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3 We are the Master Gardeners of Hamilton county. A 250 member strong organization of dedicated gardeners who love to play in the dirt. We have been in the community since 1994 when the Agricultural Extension office of UT conducted the first training program. We are trained and certified volunteers from all fields of endeavor and all areas of interest. We combine our love of gardening and our personal experiences with research based information provided by the extension office trained specialists and tradespeople. The Master Gardener organization was conceived in the early 1970 s by a Washington State University Cooperative Extension Agent. There was a movement sweeping the country. More and more new home buyers were beginning to grow and cultivate vegetables and flowers. They had lots of questions. David Gibby and fellow agents recruited and trained over 200 volunteers the first year 3

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5 The Cooperative Extension Service was established in 1862 when Congress passed the Morrill Act which established colleges in each state to be financed through grants of land from the Federal government. They became known as Land Grant Colleges and remain so today. These colleges would emphasize the teaching of practical subjects such as agriculture and home economics. This is the reason they have a Master Gardener program in each state. 5

6 What this means is pretty simple. Each and every member goes through an extensive training program where he or she learns everything from plant anatomy to weed science. Classes last for 15 weeks in the spring. Each member is required to do volunteer work in the community and take continuing education courses each year to maintain their member status. They now have green thumbs. 6

7 The class of 2016 at their graduation ceremony prepared to go forth and share their new found knowledge with the Chattanooga community. 7

8 People, like plants, need to be nurtured so they can continue to grow. Through the Master Gardener program, we educate and train the members of our community in the ways of Mother Nature. Like little children, we get joy from watching a Daffodil slowly stick its head out of the cold frozen ground and bring forth a beautiful bloom.year after year. And yes, we do reach all generations. We work with children..we work with veterans we work with the public.we work with other gardeners. Sometimes the thanks comes from teaching a child to grow that daffodil. Sometimes the thanks comes from teaching Dad to grow tomatoes. Sometimes the thanks comes from a smile when the spider mites are gone! 8

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10 You might see some of our folks pulling weeds and raking leaves between the two buildings of the aquarium. We established the garden originally in Several times a year you will find MGs working in the garden to keep it looking beautiful. The garden includes plants which provide food for butterfly larva as well as nectar for adult butterflies. 10

11 And, we have planted other Butterfly gardens and Monarch waystations around the area. This one is at Grace Episcopal Church on Belvoir Ave. We also have created a memorial garden for a former member, Jo Lawrence, at Camp Jordan. 11

12 An MG doing a garden related activity with children at Siskin. Our member, Sara Stanley, worked tirelessly with the children at Siskin teaching them about flowers and plants and how to grow things. In March 2016, Sara Collier of Siskin has nominated Sara and her team for the "Volunteer of the Year" at the upcoming United Way Volunteer. Our Sara did not win, However, we are extremely proud of Sara and her team. 12

13 The Master Gardeners who have helped transform the look of the Zoo by planting and maintaining zoo gardens. 13

14 Hamilton County Master Gardeners were instrumental in planning and building the pavilion and green house at the Chattanooga Food Bank. These pictures are of MGs working to build the buildings. 14

15 For many years the Master Gardeners have volunteered at the Food Bank. Food grown in the beds is returned to the community through its clients. It is also used as a teaching area - helping clients learn how to grow their own food. 15

16 We have two arboretums, one on Bonny Oaks at the UT Extension office and one at Grace Episcopal Church on Brained Rd. Trees are labeled. Some pruning instruction is done at Bonny Oaks. 16

17 MG s hard at work planting the flower beds a the library. Funds were provided by the library and the MG s provided the labor. 17

18 You can see MG s all over town at neighborhood markets including: Chattanooga Market at the First Tennessee Pavilion on Sundays Ooltewah Nursery in Ooltewah, Thursdays year round Cambridge Square in Ooltewah, Fridays through October St. Alban s Farmers Market in Hixson, Saturdays year round We provide answers to gardening questions, class schedules and contact information. 18

19 MG s provide training classes to veterans to help with their PTSD. This is the only such program in a 50 mile radius. Veterans come to class 6 to 7 times a year to learn about gardening. These classes are conducted by members of our Speaker s Bureau and Education Committee. 19

20 We have partnership arrangements with many groups in the area. Examples: We provide instruction for folks who have just received their new habitat home. We volunteer at Crabtree Farms, as well as providing workshops We work with Audubon Acres on various garden projects. We work at the Bachman-McCoy Property and Community Gardens which is a 38 acre property located in the Walden Community on Signal Mountain off Anderson Pike. The Master Gardeners are responsible for the restoration of the various gardens on the property, nature trails and the orchard. We help with a twenty-three bed community garden, and nearby U-pick free garden and berry garden; two certified butterfly gardens and various other gardens on the grounds of Grace Episcopal Church We volunteer with Friends on the Cumberland Trails (FCT) seed collection and restoration project that includes a native plant nursery on Signal Mountain with volunteer opportunities in hands on native plant propagation. 20

21 Since 1994 the Master Gardeners have provided a display booth for the Hamilton County Fair. The theme may vary from year to year, yet many of the favorite displays repeat each year. There is always a water feature, there is always a question and answer booth, and there is always a BUG booth. Our most recent fair theme was Gardening for the Future. We tried to show the public best practices for sustaining our environment and protecting our wildlife. 21

22 In this display, we had pine trees decorated with a theme representing each month of the year. We even had a person dressed up as a gnarly old oak. 22

23 This was a special year for the Master Gardeners. We took 3rd place at the International Master Gardener conference for our exhibit in the Most Innovative category. Many of our members were able to go on the international cruise to Alaska where the award was presented. Ladies were dressed up in 1940 s costumes. Rosie the Riveter made a special appearance. We made a greenhouse out of old windows. We featured a display of home canned goods 23

24 We had a live radio show broadcast from the garden that year 24

25 One of the features in this display was a bonsai demonstration. Note the little boy learning about bugs. 25

26 We started the 3rd Saturday program 3 years ago, and it has been a tremendous success. It meets at the Bonny Oaks Agricultural Center monthly from February through November. A different free topic is presented to the general public This year, we have had 1 to 2 hour long talks on topics such as Hydrangeas, Straw Bale Gardening, Lawn Care, All About Tomatoes and Daylilies. Every year we offer a wreath making class in November, and it was again booked up. Classes are conducted by either an expert from the area or a trained Master Gardener. In 2016 we had 10 classes. A total of 326 people attended. Over half of the attendees were from the public sector. The others were MGs getting their CEUs. 26

27 The MGs provide speakers on request to local garden clubs and organizations. In MG speakers held 82 classes with a total of 1737 people in attendance. 27

28 We won third place in the International MG Search for Excellence- Workshop Category for our Beginner and Newcomers class. Mike Payne has conducted this class for 21 years. It is designed for new folks in the area or beginning gardeners. Held in March, it covers everything from lawn management to proper shrub pruning and pest management. The award will be presented to us at the 2017 International MG Conference held in Portland! 28

29 The Gardening Expo is presented by the MG s in April each year. This is our 5th year providing the community with classes, speakers, demonstrations, and gardening information. In addition, there are exhibitors and vendors who provide nature based products - live plants, bird and animal products, crafts and gardening tools. The Master Gardeners present demonstration classes on such topics as composting, raised bed gardening and the use of rain barrels. Our objective is to provide the public with educational information on the best gardening practices available - those that are environmentally safe for use and the critters with which we share the planet. 29

30 At the 2016 Expo, seventeen seminars were presented: 9 by MGs and 8 by quest speakers. Feedback from the seminars was very positive. Many people indicated they attended multiple seminars. These are the seminars scheduled for 2017 as of 1/20/17. 30

31 Patricia is an author of several books including Lasagna Gardening, Lasagna Gardening for Small Spaces and Lasagna Gardening with Herbs. Linda Fraser is a botanical artist who specializes in native plants of the southeastern United States. In her words, I hope my illustrations of southeastern native plants will promote appreciation of their excellent qualities, sometimes taken for granted. 31

32 A bonsai expert and MG demonstrating bonsai techniques to Expo attendees. 32

33 Our children s corner is a big hit every year. We provide hands on activities for children 2 to 12 years. 33

34 An MG giving a seminar about vegetables. Other classes included Proper Pruning, Aeroponic Tower Gardens, Intercropping Mushrooms and Vegetables, Container Gardening, Saving the Pollinators, Good Bugs/ Bad Bugs and more. 34

35 MGs manning a compost booth. Expo attendees had the opportunity to ask questions of our MG composting guru. Other demonstration booths included rain barrels, mulching, raised bed gardens and therapeutic gardening. 35

36 Each year we man a Q & A table where attendees can get their questions answered. 36

37 Awards include: 2017 International Award for Excellence for our Beginner and Newcomers class Outstanding Volunteer Award to Mike Payne 2013 Search of Excellence Award. 3 rd place for Most Innovative Project 2013 Mike Payne award for Helping TN Grow Better Communities 2011 Demonstration Garden Award for the Food Bank pavilion project Workshop and Presentation award for the Chattanooga market 2009 Volunteer hours award 2008 Award for SISKIN Youth Project 2008 Demonstration garden. 37

38 Every organization has a wish list. After 23 years in the community, it is time for us to expand our outreach. The Expo and member dues are our only means of support. That is why we need you. We are only limited by the funds available to us. We have plenty of green thumbs that have an insatiable need to plant, grow things and teach others. We need to plant you in our garden so we can grow the community bigger and better 38

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40 The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County is a registered 501(c)3 organization. This means that your donations to our sponsor program are tax deductible. 40

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