Roots & Shoots

February 2023

Reach for the Stars Awards Ceremony & Potluck Luncheon

February 14th

Awards at 10AM, Lunch at 11AM

BBG Auditorium

Special Talk by Bethany O'Rear, Extension Agent on

What it means to be a Master Gardener

(1 CEU)


To Signup for the Potluck Signup Click Here!


Here are the Awardees

Please Don't Forget to Pay Your 2023 Dues!

Dues were due January 31st. To avoid becoming inactive, mail a check to: JCMGA, Inc. Treasurer, c/o ACES

C. Beaty Hanna Horticultural Center

2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223

or

Bring a check or cash to the February 14th Program

or

Pay Dues via PayPal Here


Looking Ahead

March 14th, 10 AM

in the BBG Auditorium

Snakes of Alabama

with Jimmy Stiles, herpetologist

Members Meeting & Program (1 CEU)

THESE COMMITTEES NEED YOU!


Communications Committee: Seeking one MG to fill the role of Social Media person especially for Facebook. This will involve sharing posts from partners, such as ACES, that are relevant to Jefferson County MGs, like CEU & Volunteer opportunities, other events and topics of interest.  If you have a Facebook and/or Instagram profile and would enjoy promoting our work through these platforms, Email Amy Weis at amym426@gmail.com if interested.


Hospitality Committee: Seeking one or two MGs to join Susan Morrison on the Hospitality Committee starting March 11th, 2023. This committee is responsible for refreshments at each regular monthly program, i.e., coffee, tea, water, nibbles and all the accoutrements. It also assists the Vice President and Program Committee in making sure the Annual Reunion and the Graduation Banquet is a success. Email Amy Weis amym426@gmail.com if interested.


Fundraising Committee: Seeking Sponsors for its first-ever fundraising event, a Farm-to-Table. Do you have a suggestion for a potential sponsor that we

should consider? If so, please email Susan

McNamara momwow@charter.net

Updates from the JCMGA Board


Director's Minute

featuring Hana Berres, Vice President


For those that don't know me yet, I am Hana (pronounced haa*nuh); a plant fanatic; Master Gardener since 2018. Becoming a Master Gardener was one of the best experiences of my life, I get to talk to people about something I love – plants, plants, and more plants! I have volunteered over 1,000 hours with the JCMG program, the majority earned from intern projects with Girls, Inc. and the High Ore Trail Garden projects.


Hana's 2023 Comeback Challenge for all Master Gardeners:

  1. Attend a Meeting
  2. Sign up for a Project
  3. When you do 1 and 2 above, say hello to someone new and meet another amazing Master Gardener Volunteer like yourself!
  4. Reactivate your membership by paying dues and/or reporting hours.


Read more about Hana, her projects and love of flowers here...


Minutes of JCMGA Board Meetings

December 29, 2023

January 9, 2023

January 26, 2023 (Draft)


Minutes of January Members Meeting

January 10, 2023 (Draft)


Budget Update

January Financial Statement

Bethany's Extras


We just hosted a reunion of the “pandemic” Master Gardener classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022. The Master Gardeners who persevered through those years of disruption showed a special type of grit and it was an absolute pleasure to see more than forty smiling faces, catching up with each other, getting to know new MGs, and reaffirming their interest in serving the community through Master Gardener volunteerism. We may just have to make it an annual event.

And thank you to all who have answered the call to train and....

Read More Here

ACES Master Gardener Program Survey

Your input is needed! ACES is collecting first-hand insight from Alabama Master Gardeners to influence our Program Strategic Plan. This short survey will take 10 minutes or less of your time.

Click here to take the survey

Volunteer Opportunities


Click Here for List of County-wide Opportunities

compiled by the Community Service Committee

contact jcmgacommunitysvc@gmail.com


Click Here for Opportunities at BBG

contact amoore@bbgardens.org 


Click Here for Second Saturdays at Miss Sims' Garden

contact amym426@gmail.com

Continuing Education Opportunities


Get Outside with Alabama Smart Yards! 

Every Wednesday at 1 pm

Register Here

February 8 - Pruning Tool Maintenance

February 15 Paint the Garden Red

February 22Planting Asparagus


At the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Planning Your Spring Garden

Wednesday, February 15, 3–4:00 pm  

Register Here


Design a Terrarium : Two Dates

Saturday, February 18, 10–11:30 am Register Here

Thursday, February 23, 3–4:30 pm Register Here


Community Garden Expo

Tuesday, February 21, 8am–4pm

Lecture Hall

Flyer for More Info


Winter Tree Care

Friday, February 24, 2:00–4:30 pm

Register Here


At Aldridge Gardens


Bonsai Workshops

February 11 & 12th

choose from one of four, half-day sessions

led by professional bonsai artist, Jennifer Price.

Register Here


Hardwood Hydrangea Propagation Workshop

February 19th, 2pm-4pm

Take home six cuttings! 

Register Here


Arbor Day Celebration

February 25th, 9am to 1pm

Any Alabama resident is welcome to attend!

Flyer for More Info

800 Trees will be given away! (2.5" caliper, 2-3 gallon tree)

Florida Dogwood, Fig, Eastern Red Cedar, Sugar Maple, Trident Maple, Dawn Redwood, Chinese Chestnut, Buckeye, Sassafras, Nuttall Oak, River Birch, Beauty Berry, Redbud, Black Gum, Overcup Oak, Willow oak, Bald Cypress. 


In case you missed him at the JCMGA January Members Meeting, "The Grumpy Gardener", Steve Bender will be speaking at 11am! No Registration or Fee.


The Library 

Birmingham Botanical Gardens 

Visit Monday–Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.


Thyme To Read Book Club 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

4:30-5:30PM

Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest

by Suzanne Simard


Thyme to Read is a monthly gathering hosted by the Library. All are welcome.

For more information, contact Library Director

Hope Long at 205.588.4593 or hlong@bbgardens.org 

Free & Open to the public

 

The Seed Exchange in The Library needs open pollinated fruit and vegetable seed.

More information at https://www.bbgardens.org/seed-exchange.php

Jefferson County Master Gardeners Association

Officers and Board Members 2023

President Amy Weis      

Vice President  Hana Berres      

Treasurer Cindy Funderburk        Secretary Richard Smith

Directors: Darwin Bell, Linda Massey, Katherine"Kat" Harper 

Webmaster   Richard Smith 

Newsletter Editor Kathy Rostand 

 ACES Bethany O’Rear

AMGA Advisory Council Mitzi Owens