Putnam County Master Gardeners to Conduct 2018 Fruit Tree Fundraiser

The Putnam County Master Gardeners are conducting a Fruit Tree Fundraiser during the months of December and January.  The public is invited to place their order for trees from Adams County Nursery, Inc. in PA with a bulk order placed by the local Master Gardener association.  Pending on the total number of trees that the group orders, typical savings per tree (when ordering 100 trees or more) are $18/tree for apple and pear varieties and approximately $17/tree for peach, plum and cherry trees.  Two yeqrs ago, we ordered 150 trees and trees averaged $12 -$15 per tree.  Orders and payments must be received by January 30^th.  Price breaks, premium charges, disease resistant varieties, rootstocks and pollination considerations are located at the company’s website (http://www.acnursery.com/acn_trees.php).  A limited number of catalogues are available at the WVU Putnam County Extension Office.  A donation to the Putnam County Master Gardeners of ($2) per tree, depending on the number of trees ordered, will be collected for each tree order.  To place an order or for further questions, call the Kari Wilger at 304-767-5583 or email her at wilgerkari@gmail.com. 

Putnam County Master Gardener Program Accepting Applications

West Virginia University Extension Service in Putnam County is accepting applications for the 2017 Putnam County Master Gardener (MG) Program, as well as MG programs in surrounding counties.  This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others.  Starting in September, there will be thirteen, three-hour night classes held weekly.   Those interested in participating should attend an orientation meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 8^th at the Old Winfield Courthouse (12093 Winfield Road, Winfield).

Putnam County Master Gardener, Myra Simmons, shows a student from West Teays Elementary how to look for insect pests. 

In exchange for 40 hours of indoor and outdoor instruction, candidates agree to donate 40 hours of volunteer service to West Virginia University Extension Service.  Volunteer activities currently carried out by Master Gardeners in Putnam County include participation in: 1) community gardens to provide vegetables for the local food bank, 2) garden-based learning programs with the teachers and students of the Putnam County school system, and 3) assisting WVU Extension Service with Farmers’ Markets and Putnam County Fair activities.  Last year, the PCMG assisted nearly 1200 students in garden-based learning programs. The students, plant, manage, harvest, weigh, sell and eat vegetables that they grow themselves.  

There is a program fee of $100 to cover the cost of the training manual and other materials.  Applications are being accepted through August 29^th.  For more information and to receive an application, please contact (304-586-0217) the West Virginia University Extension office located in the Old Winfield Courthouse. 

2017 WSAZ Home & Garden Show

As in the past, the 2017 2017 WSAZ Home & Garden Show was a success.  There was an interesting slate of speakers on Friday & Saturday and the Master Gardener booths swarmed with friends from West Virginia & Kentucky.
Our CCMGA photographer, Victor Simpson, was on hand to capture the action on Friday and Saturday in and around our booth.  Check out his photos in the WEB-ALBUM.
Click the picture below to view Victor's photos from the weekend.

October 11 CCMGA Meeting

The October meeting of the Cabell County Master Gardener Association will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Enslow Park Presbyterian Church at 6:30 pm on October 11.  The featured speaker will be the WVU Cooperative Extension Agent, Dr. Chuck Talbott.  Dr. Talbott's topic will be "The Positive Impact of School Gardens on Children" as well as tips for working in school garden education settings.

MG Class Field Trip

The current Master Gardener class has just completed their certification exam and is planning their field trip for Thursday, April 21.  Not only are members of the class invited but any Master Gardener is invited to join them.  This is a great way to get to know the members of the current class of Master Gardeners.
They are meeting with Putnam County Extension Agent, Dr. Chuck Talbott at West Teays Elementary at 4 pm to tour the school garden.  From there, the group will go to Dr. Talbott's farm around 5 pm.
If you need additional information, see Park Ferguson at the April 12 CCMGA meeting.