What does it mean to be a Master Gardener?

Cultura Garden Club member, Donna Lowry, program chairman, introduced Katernia Cole Coffey, director of the Franklin County Extension, as guest speaker, for the program titled “Becoming a Master Gardener.”

The Master Gardener program trains volunteers interested in committing their time to intensive horticulture-related training, followed by serving as an Extension volunteer in their community. Master Gardeners have two main traits that distinguish them: a commitment to being a community resource for gardening knowledge as well as a desire to teach and mentor other gardeners.

Cole Coffey provided a handout with information on the classes for becoming a Master Gardener.  She also shared information about Jane Letuzo, the director for the Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale Counties Master Gardener program.  Her phone number is 256-308-8830. Cole Coffey also shared information about an upcoming March event with the Extension Office and the Franklin County 4-H Competition Roundup.

For the institute, Debbie Nale provided a handout on making a carrot Easter wreath using a circular placemat and greenery.

The March meeting took place at the Russellville First Baptist Church Green Room.  Judy Baker and Susan Pearson served as hostesses.

President Debbie Nale distributed brochures for the club’s annual spring flower sale fundraiser.  Orders are due April 4.  Delivery date is April 29.  The garden pots will sell for $20, and the hanging baskets will sell for $15.

The Officer Election Committee Chairman, Judy Baker, presented nominations for the 2024-2026 officers. They are president, Cheri McCain; vice-president, Debra Spillers; secretary, Susie Malone; treasurer, Patricia Cox; historian, Debbie Beason; parliamentarian, Brenda Oliver. Members voted to accept the slate of officers.

Members received information on the Alabama Garden Club Convention which will be held in Opelika, Ala.,  April 14-16.

The Spring District I Meeting will be held April 25 at Grace Episcopal Church in Sheffield. This will be hosted by Town and Country, Rivermont and Helen Keller Garden Clubs. Registration cost is $30.

In other business, Nale shared the certificate received from the Alabama State Garden Club for Lifetime Membership for Doris Woodruff. Items were collected and a $100 donation was given for the Colbert County FAME Girls’ Ranch, which also serves Franklin County. Members were dismissed by reciting the collect.