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. 

2016 Master Gardener Classes Continue

The 2016 class for new Master Gardeners is going along very smoothly.  Debbie Martin, Jane Wilson and Connie Berk have made the class run smoothly with a group of engaging speakers.  Debbie, Jane and Connie are pleased to report that 17 new Master Gardeners are in the class and are moving through the content well.  In addition, many of our current CCMGA members have been coming to assist, earning volunteer service credits or to engage in the lesson, earning education hours.  It is wonderful to see our experienced Master Gardeners forming bonds with the new group.  I know that everyone is excited to see this many new Master Gardeners for our group.  Any current CCMGA members are invited to come meet the new members and join in any of the upcoming classes.  The class schedule is available on the Education tab of our website.
At the January 26 session on Basic Botany our group's photographer, Victor Simpson, took some shots of the class learning about the structures of plants.  Many thanks to Victor!

2016 Master Gardener Class

The first meeting of the 2016 Master Gardener class met last night at Enslow Park Presbyterian Church.  Debbie, Jane & Connie have done great work in assembling an interesting and informative slate of classes to move the MGITs toward completing the requirements for certification.  The 14 members of the class are eager to get started in the process and have a varied set of gardening interests.

If you are available on one or more of the class nights, please consider coming to the church and joining the group.  The class on Tuesday, January 12 promises to be an excellent class with Myra Simmons sharing her wealth of knowledge on perennials.  Myra is always a very engaging presenter.

You can use the Master Gardener classes to earn either education or volunteer service credits.  Having current CCMGA members available can be an important show of support for them in as they are in the process of certification.  Please make certain to invite them to come to our first meeting of 2016 at 11 am on February 20 (weather permitting) at Enslow Park Presbyterian Church where Lori Bowling will share more information on deer and drought resistant gardening.

2016 Plans & Updates

As we prepare for 2016, I wanted to express my best holiday wishes and to give you updates on a few CCMGA matters.

Revised By-Laws

During the December business meeting, the proposed revisions to the CCMGA by-laws were approved by unanimous vote of the members present.  These revisions are a result of WVMG’s increased service and education requirements for new and recertifying members.  The revised by-laws are posted to our website in the “About CCMGA” section.

MGIT Class

Debbie Martin and Jane Wilson have done a great job of putting a Master Gardener class together.  The classes will meet in the Fellowship Hall of Enslow Park Presbyterian Church on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 9:30 pm beginning on January 5.  Jane and Debbie want to welcome any member who is available for one or more classes to come to assist or to earn education hours.  This is a great opportunity to earn service or education hours,.  A copy of the class schedule is posted to our website.  Please email me (beckelhimer@gmail.com) if you would like to sign up to volunteer for one or more classes.

2016 Meeting Schedule

The meeting schedule for 2016 has been finalized with a great lineup of educational speakers. A copy of our meeting schedule is posted in the “About CCMGA” section of our website.

2016 Dues

Please remember that your 2016 dues can now be paid to our treasurer, Debbie Martin.  If you have not already done so, please send your $16 membership dues to CCMGA, PO Box 7661, Huntington, WV 25578-7661.

Website Updates

The “Recipes” section of our website has been replaced with a “Gardening Education” page for the MGITs as well as current members.  Presenters at the Master Gardener class as well as monthly Master Gardener meetings can have materials such as handouts or links posted to the site.  Please take a look at the new section of our site and let me know what you think.

The 2015 minutes, treasurer’s reports and meeting schedules will soon be moved to an “Archives” page where the documents will still be available to members but will make way for 2016’s information.

I will look forward to seeing everyone at our February 20^th meeting or better yet, at one of the upcoming MGIT classes.