WEEDER S DIGEST CRAIGHEAD COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

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1 February 2018 Volume 13, Issue 1 WEEDER S DIGEST CRAIGHEAD COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS Our next meeting is Feb., 1st 6:00 6:30 MG Business Meeting Welcome to 2018! We are starting a New Year which also means we are starting another year of gardening and learning together. We reached our 10,000-hour goal last year and I couldn t be happier. There are several up and coming events that our members can attend that will enrich our knowledge and help with maintaining our work/learning hours; the seminar Countdown to Spring, also the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show and then the FFA/CDE project, to name a few. We have lots to do and only a year to do it all! We ll make this year a momentous year! Donna Tolewitzke~ President Officers Standing Committee Chairs President Donna Tolewitzke Past President Ann Fergeson Vice President Cindy Morris Secretary Karen Massey Treasurer Stephanie Neely Assistant Treasurer Sandy Puryear Projects Barbara Pitcock Programs Laura Bettis Recruitment, Retention, Recognition Peggy Lane Historian Diane Sandberg Social Debbie Tate Parliamentarian Mimi Cox Executive Committee The Officers Newsletter Editor Donna Tolewitzke Members-at-Large Donna Bandy Val Price

2 The frigid cold weather the last two weeks of January has finally left us and hopefully milder temperatures will be around awhile. This may afford us the opportunity to get outside and perform some maintenance in our yards. If there is still some pruning of trees that needs to be done, this is an excellent time to perform these duties. February is also the time to begin thinking of pruning your roses. This may be done beginning around the middle of the month. If you are establishing a new garden or contemplating a renovation, drawing a plan with the plants you want and their placement will assist in the planting process when establishment time comes. As always, a soil test is a good idea so any needed amendments can be applied before planting, especially soil ph. Finally, I am pleased to announce that we have 22 participants in the new Master Gardener training class with 19 being from Craighead County. Thanks to all who are assisting with conducting the class and for those who recruited individuals to allow us to provide this training. By Branon Thiesse BS, MS County Extension Agent - Staff Chair The 1st Class for 2018 was Saturday the 20th of January. I walked in and was amazed to see so many attendees! YES! We are growing! Come and join in on some of the classes, meet with the new class. Save the Date, Jan. 27th. S T E V E C U L P f O O d 2

3 Minutes of the December 2017 Meeting By Ethel Cole The December 7, 2017 meeting of the Craighead County Master Gardeners was called to order at 7:25 pm by President Ann Fergeson following a delicious Christmas potluck dinner. Program The evening s program was the presentation of awards to the most deserving members. The CCMG board added two new awards this year: Yes I Can award went to the member who displayed a positive, committed attitude and in some cases, overcame personal obstacles to perform needed duties. The 2017 award went to seasoned member, Ginger Adams, recognized for her 200 work hours in organizing seed collection for the NEA Fair. The new members given this award were Bob and Tricia Brashears. The second new award was the Never Say No award given to the person who always answered the call when help is needed. Seasoned Members receiving this award were Stan Bachman, Barb Evans, Pat Finch, Jason Mullins, Debbie Tate, and Mike Wilbanks. Joseph House was the new member earning this award. Other awards presented were: Master Gardener of the Year for 2017 Ann Ross; Rookie of the Year for Karen Pearce. Branon Thiesse and Ann Fergeson were given gift certificates in appreciation of their service to CCMG. (Editors Note: Photos of the Award Recipients on following page.) Minutes - Minutes of the November meeting were approved as printed in the monthly newsletter. Treasurer s Report Stephanie Neely gave the treasurer s report and stated a total of $520 had been collected to donate to the Helping Neighbors Food Pantry. The report was approved as stated. Old Business A goal of 10,000 logged hours had been set for At the time of the meeting, 10,669 hours had been recorded. Announcements Dues were now payable for 2018; New calendars were given to each member and were also available for purchase at a cost of $1.00 each; Members needing to update their contact information for the directory were given forms to fill out; New member classes will begin January 20, Mentors for the new members are needed. Birthdays Members with a December birthday were given a plant. Meeting adjourned 8:00 pm. Thank you Ethel 3

4 Master Gardener of the Year 2017 Left: Ann Ross Rookie Master Gardener of the Year 2017 Right: Karen Pearce Awarded Yes I Can Left: Rookies Tricia and Bob Brashears Right: Seasoned Ginger Adams Awarded Never Say No Left: Rookie Joseph House Right: Seasoned Stan Bachman, Debbie Tate, Barb Evans, Pat Finch 4

5 Minutes from the January Meeting By Karen Massey The January 4, 2018 meeting of the Craighead County Master Gardeners was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Donna Tolewitzke Program was not scheduled for this meeting. Donna announced the new 2018 Officers, Project Chairs and Standing Committee. Donna reviewed with everyone the certification requirements for all Master Gardeners for And reminded everyone to please log hours. Donna also had the honor to present a trowel pin to 22 members with 100+ working hours. 5 members from that group had 200+ working hours. Minutes from the December meeting and January meeting will be approved as printed in the monthly newsletter. Treasurer s Report - The report was accepted as reported by Stephanie Neely, treasurer. A new total for the donation for Helping Neighbors Food Pantry is $ Reminded everyone after the close of the meeting dues would be going up to $ Old Business Ann Ross had a prior meeting with the committee on the Spring Seminar and announced most of the plans had been made. That everyone could sign up tonight at the meeting and planning for 150 to attend. Announcements - Donna Tolewitzke mentioned that only 7 people had signed up for the new member class and need 20 for class to continue. The last date to sign up is January 12 th. Neva Shewmaker stated that she needs volunteers to sign up for snacks at the new member classes. Ralph Seay asked for volunteers to sign up for the FFA/CDE on March 7 th. Peggy Lane has 10 people signed up for mentoring the new class. Donna Tolewitzke asked for ideas for an Advance Class to be hosted by Craighead County Master Gardeners. Barbara Pitcock asked for volunteers for the Project Committee to help with a new project being presented by Riceland Foods. Melinda Smith asked for volunteers to start helping in the HWE School greenhouses in 2 weeks. Laura Bettis had forms to be filled out to help her with ideas for presenters. Birthdays Members with January birthdays were given potted daffodil bulbs. Meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm Trowel pin Recipients Left to Right, back: Barb Evans, Donna Tolewitzke, Joseph House, Lana Keyes, Peggy Lane, Ann Ross, Mike Wilbanks, Susan Westbrook, Bruce Schelin, Middle: Pat Finch, Mimi Cox, Stephanie Neely, Sharron Schelin, Ralph Seay Seated: Melinda Smith, Karen Pearce, Diane Sandberg. Not pictured: Ginger Adams, Stan Bachman, Jason Mullins, Debbie Tate 5

6 HWES News Chair Melinda Smith Planting in the greenhouse at HWES has started! Come join us! or call Melinda or Sherri and tell them when you are coming! or Shenia Mullins awarded her 10 years of service Crocuses sprouting through the ice/ snow. Submitted by Joseph House Here is just one of the many photos you can see on our Facebook page. Can you guess where this was taken? 6

7 The Arkansas Highway Transportation Department Note all the Department s environmental efforts have to do with buildings and equipment. The AHTD is involved in being a conscientious care taker of flora and fauna as well. The Department is doing its part to beautify the over 200,000 acres of highway roadsides it maintains through its popular Wildflower Program. Throughout the State, approximately 1,000 miles of highways have been included in a system of Wildflower Routes that showcase existing wildflower populations. Maintenance practices along those routes allow annual and perennial wildflowers to prosper and return year after year. A second part of the program, title Operation Wildflower, takes a proactive stance. It establishes new roadside wildflower populations with plant seed donated by local sponsors. New flower populations are being established along Interstates and primary highway right-ofway and result in showy displays in the large areas where they are planted. A sign program identifying wildflower areas increases public awareness of the program. The program has helped reduce long-term maintenance costs, enhanced roadside wildlife habitat, provided an attractive roadside environment and preserved native plant populations. It all adds up to roadside areas the erupt into blankets of color as the flowers come into bloom. In addition to wildflowers, the AHTD is also involved in a Milkweed Management Plan. The plan has been put in place as an independent project due to the growing decrease in Monarch Butterfly populations and the milkweed plants they survive on. We were approached by the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks to see if we could include milkweeds in our wildflower seeding program, stated Kayti Ewing, Environmental Analyst I. The result has been the planting of native milkweed plugs across the State. We hope the milkweed populations will attract Monarch butterflies in great numbers in the years ahead, Ewing added.~ AHTD Magazine Submitted by: Terri Inman Events February 1st Registration opens for the State Master Gardener Conference in Fort Smith, AR. Look for registration information on the MG ONLY portion of our website (under Master Gardener Conference) that is password protected. February 20th- Countdown to Spring Seminar Located at Southwest Church of Christ, Better Life Center Gym, 1601 James St., Jonesboro, AR. Registration begins at 9:00. Seminar is from 9:30-2:00pm. Cost is $20 which includes lunch, snacks and drinks. March 2-4- Arkansas Flower and Garden Show at its new location. Arkansas State Fairgrounds, 2600 Howard, Little Rock, AR. For more information: 7

8 Project Chairs ASU Display Garden & Farmers Market Susan Westbrook On the Deck Jan Dupwe January Birthdays 5th- Erlene Wise 7th- Donna Bachman 11th- Lana Keyes 12th- Monica Hansen 13th- Glenda Drace 13th- Cindy Morris 19th- Pat Finch 19th- Sharron Schelin 19th- Billy Woodruff 21st- Karen Massey 22nd- Jan Dupwe 29th- Bruce Schelin 31st- Ellen Hester February Birthdays 7th Brenda Lane 15th- Mary Hosinski 15th- Breana Watkins 16th- Val Price 18th- Judy Strange 20th- Paul Schneider 27th- Mike Wilbanks Reminders ASU Greenhouse LaVeta Howerton Butterfly Garden Barb Evans Pat Finch Courthouse, Extension Office & City Hall Nick, Marilyn & Katie Wysocki NEA District Fair Ginger Adams-Seeds Mike Wilbanks-MG Booth Mimi Cox- Floriculture NEA FFA-CDE Stan Bachman Native Plant Garden Ethel Cole Plant Sale Jason Mullins Plants for Sunset Gardens Margaret Williams Extension Office Work & 2017 Basic Training Class Neva Shewmaker HWES Children s Learning Garden Melinda Smith Logging in Hours: If you are having problems logging hours and/or would rather Cindy log them for you please her at cindyamorris@hotmail.com. Please include where you worked, the date and the amount of time you worked. And let's not forget, include your learning/ education hours! Being Respectful: Just a reminder to be respectful of not only the speakers at meetings but to your fellow MGs. You may think you are talking quietly but voices carry making it difficult for others to hear what is going on during the meetings. Sign In! As you arrive at the MG meeting each month, be sure to SIGN IN and pick up a ticket for the door prize(s). The sign-in sheet will be on the table to the right as you come in the door. At the end of each meeting, we will draw for a door prize! Name Tags: Be sure to wear your MG name tag to each meeting and receive a KISS! Otherwise put 50 cents in the jar. 8

9 Bromeliads for Brunch? For decades, our nation has been dumbing down. The depths to which we have gone simply astound. I purchased a Bromeliad last summer. The tag attached to it was a bummer. Not Suitable for Human Consumption, it said. I read it again, not believing what I read. I eat a lot and like a variety of food; Bromeliads for Brunch doesn t sound that good. Last week, I bought a new Chrysanthemum. This Plant Not Edible was on my new Mum. Due to the frequency of these warning quotes, they obviously think we re a bunch of goats. Apparently, this is a real problem today for them to continue to warn us this way! I keep hoping their assessment is not true; on my part, it may be optimism which is undue ~ Robbie J Huffman Fun and Useful Links Arkansas Master Gardener Program CCMG Facebook Page HWES School Gardens Facebook Page Janet Carson's Blog - In the Garden Jim Long s Blog Public Horticulture Events University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension Garvan Gardens with Janet Carson Our friend, Renee Shepherd, owner of Reneesgarden.com (Renee's Garden Seeds), is making a wonderful offer for Health, Wellness and Environmental Studies Elementary School. If you go to her website and order seed, and use this code when you order: FR556A, she will donate 25% of the price of the seed you order, to the Health, Wellness and Environmental Studies Elementary Kitchen/Garden Program. Isn't that great? So, go to her website and order some seed, being sure to use the FR556Acoupon code. Craighead County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers working with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and Craighead County officials to provide beautification projects and horticultural information to the residents of the county. In 2017 Craighead County Master Gardeners reported more than 11,108 hours of service and education to benefit Craighead County. Branon Thiesse BS, MS County Extension Agent - Staff Chair The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, Weeder s Digest is the official newsletter of the Craighead County AR Master Gardener Program. Please contact the newsletter editor at dtolewitzke@gmail.com with your articles, ideas, photos and suggestions. Newsletters are Adobe files and require the latest Adobe Reader to view. You may download the latest Adobe Reader at " Copyright Craighead County Master Gardeners. All rights reserved. 9

10 Seminar Registration Form Countdown to Spring Registration Closes February 13, 2018 Please make checks payable to CES and mail to: Gardening Seminar Craighead County Cooperative Extension Service 611 E. Washington Ave. Jonesboro, AR Your Name Address or phone contact Lunch will be provided. Note: Registration Limited The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. 10