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Minutes of the August Members Meeting
Click Here for August 8th Meeting Minutes. Please read and provide suggested edits to jeffcomgnews@gmail.com.
We will vote to approve Tuesday, September 12th.
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September Members Meeting
September 12th, 10 AM
BBG Auditorium
Bonsai Gardening
by Doug Unkenholz, President of the Alabama Bonsai Society
Do you love to garden but don’t have a lot of room? Then Bonsai might be your answer! Come learn about the art of Japanese Bonsai!
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Further Details
We will have a signature cocktail, wine, and other beverages.
We are asking members to bring pick-up friendly heavy Hors d ’Oeuvres AND any utensils needed required. Questions? Call Hana Berres, 205-233-9261
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The JCMGA Hospitality Committee kindly requests Sweet and Savory Snacks for Monthly Members Meetings. Remember that you can accrue volunteer hours for your efforts!
Coffee, Tea and Water will always be provided by the Hospitality Committee.
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October Members Meeting
October 10th, 10 AM
BBG Auditorium
Vestavia Hills Corner Garden
Brightening Up the Neighborhood
by Richard Cybulsky, Advanced MG
The Vestavia Hills Corner Garden is approaching its 40th year! It has been maintained by local gardeners who are interested in working the garden, teaching about gardening and providing natural beauty to fellow citizens.
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SEEKING MGs to Serve!
Fundraising Committee
Sponsors, chefs & volunteers are needed for our first-ever Farm-to-Table fundraiser! Do you have a suggestion for a potential sponsor or chef we should contact to help with this event? If so, please email, Amy Weis
Grants / Project Funding Committee
Yawntreshia Coleman, Chair of the Grants Committee is recruiting at least two members to revive this committee which was dissolved last year while we were applying to become a 501(c)3. Please email her at: trshcoleman@gmail.com.
Program Committee
Hana Berres, Vice President and Chair of the Program Committee, is recruiting one more member to join in planning the programs from one year to the next. This would require learning the protocol and timeline for requesting the room set up through the ACES Office at BBG; developing an annual program of great speakers and topics for at least 10 Members Meetings per year; keeping up with a list of speakers and topics; and assisting with planning the Annual Reunion and Graduation Ceremony each year. If you are interested email Hana Berres.
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Director's Minute: Meet the Nominees!
As the seasons change around us so do the seasons of JCMGA. It is time to express our heartfelt gratitude to Darwin Bell & Linda Massey who have completed their three-year term on the Board, and to welcome two new Directors.
Here are your 2024 nominees:
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Carlton 'Skip' Craig
Skip graduated from the Master Gardener program in 2018. His interests are vegetable gardening, lawn care, composting, ornamental shrubs, and fruit trees. Recently, he became involved in a community garden at his church that participates in Grow More Give More. He enjoys consulting with gardeners who are starting out with lawn and ornamental shrubbery propagation. He has plenty of help from his wife, Marsha (a fellow Master Gardener), who provides input for flowers and small plants. In his career at UAB, he was responsible for the finances and administration for the Department of Emergency Medicine in the School of Medicine; total budget for the department exceeded seven million.
Skip would join the board as an At-Large Director with an interest in assisting, Treasurer, Cynthia Funderburk in 2024 and serving as Treasurer in 2025.
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Janet Humphreys
Janet graduated from the Master Gardener program in 2022. She is a lifelong resident of the Birmingham area, a retired school registrar, and just became a Grandmother. Becoming a Master Gardener was one of the first things on her retirement bucket list! She appreciates all that the Master Gardener Program and JCMGA has to offer, the limitless learning, community involvement and willingness to educate the community. She is eager to serve on the Board and get to know more of the members. Her other interests include quilting and reading. Janet would join the board as an At-Large Director with an interest in serving as Secretary in 2024.
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Directors continuing their terms in 2024 include:
- Amy Weis, current President, will complete her term in 2024 as At-Large Director.
- Hana Berres, current Vice President, will advance to President.
- Richard Smith, current Secretary, has been nominated to Vice President.
- Cindy Funderburk will continue serving as Treasurer in her second year.
- Katherine Harper will continue in her term as At-Large Director.
A Debt of Gratitude but not Farewell...
Darwin Bell and Linda Massey are rolling off the Board this year, having completed their terms. They have both been instrumental in the success of the organization.
We should all count ourselves extremely lucky to have them in our membership.
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Darwin, as Vice President in 2021 and President in 2022, also helped see us through the COVID uncertainties, navigated us through the return to in person meetings, and was instrumental in navigating us through the decision to become a nonprofit. | |
Linda saw us through the COVID shut-down years as Secretary in 2020-2021 and 2nd VP in 2022 and At-Large Director this year. She was a stalwart of the Helpline when Jefferson County single-handedly answered calls throughout the COVID Shutdown, and she will continue to be a friendly face at the Library and our Membership Table. | | |
Click here for JCMGA August Financials | | | |
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Thank you for paying
your 2023 JCMGA Dues!
We have exceeded our Membership Goal to
have 200 members paying dues this year by 104%.
We will begin collecting 2024 Dues in October.
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 next Monthly Members Meeting
or
Pay Dues via PayPal Here
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Bethany's Extras
by Regional Extension Agent, Bethany O'Rear
Although we’ve seen temperatures reach the 100’s these past few weeks, cooler weather is on the horizon! Fall temperatures are perfect for fire ant activity and foraging, making it an opportune time to put out fire ant bait. While the warm weather is rolling out and cooler air moves in, fire ants are still
actively out feeding.
...click here to continue reading...
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New News!
Check out these highlights from AMGA & Kerry Smith, Auburn!
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Continuing Education Opportunities
ACES requires 1o continuing education hours annually to maintain your status as a Certified Active Master Gardener Volunteer. Here are some opportunities:
ONLINE:
Alabama Smart Yards Webinars
Register Here
Online Every Wednesday at 1 pm
September 6th
September 13th
September 20th
September 27th
Watch Previously Aired Alabama Smart Yards Webinars on YouTube.
For more information on the Get Outside with Alabama Smart Yards webinar series, contact Dani Carroll.
Urban Green: Back 2 Basics
Register Here
On Zoom & Facebook Live. Every second and fourth Wednesday, 10-11 a.m.
These educational webinar series are to provide adult online training on basic gardening and landscaping for clients in limited space urban areas.
Watch Previously Aired Urban Green: Back 2 Basics Webinars
Previous webinars are available to rewatch on Facebook on our video playlist. Not on Facebook? Contact Rudy Pacumbaba to receive a link.
IN PERSON:
Click here for education opportunities on the
Birmingham Botanical Gardens Calendar
AMGA Fall Seminar - Register Now!
September 26, 2023, 9am-3:00pm.
Celebrating 50 Years Of Master Gardening
Register Here
Blount County Master Gardeners Fall Conference - Register Now!
One Day Only (4 CEUS)! October 12th, 9am--1:30pm.
Cost is $35 including lunch and snacks.
Register Here
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August Volunteer Summary
Last month, JCMGA Volunteers provided hands-on and additional information at 20 separate events including 7 community outreach events and 13 community garden events; 105 outreach participants received our shared garden information. Do you know of a project that needs us! Let Community Service know at : jcmgacommunitysvc@gmail.com
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Updates from The Birmingham Botanical Gardens Library
Open Monday–Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
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Join the Seed Exchange
The Seed Exchange is a free program! Through the time–honored tradition of seed saving we celebrate biodiversity, nurture locally adapted plant varieties and foster community resilience, self-reliance and a culture of sharing. The Seed Exchange operates on the honor system. You become a member automatically when you withdraw seeds to plant. We encourage all members to learn basic seed-saving techniques. If you are unable to save your own seed, we ask that you donate a packet or two of fresh, commercially grown, open-pollinated (non-hybrid, non-GMO) seed or make a $10 donation to help us keep the exchange well stocked.
Seed Exchange Application Form
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Thyme to Read Book Club
Tuesday, October 10: 4:30-5:30pm
The Poison Squad: One Chemist’s Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the Twentieth Century by Deborah Blum
From Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times -bestselling author Deborah Blum, the dramatic true story of how food was made safe in the United States and the heroes, led by the inimitable Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley, who fought for change. - goodreads.com
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Thyme to Read Book Club
Tuesday, November 7:
4:30-5:30pm
Anthill by E.O. Wilson
Astonishing, inspirational, even magical: a naturalist’s novel about an Alabama boy who heroically tries to save a sacred forest.. - goodreads.com
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Jefferson County Master Gardeners Association, Inc.
Board of Directors, 2023
President, Amy Weis | Vice President, Hana Berres
Treasurer, Cindy Funderburk | Secretary, Richard Smith
At-Large Directors: Darwin Bell, Linda Massey, Kat Harper
Committees & Roles, 2023
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AMGA Advisory Council Representative (Standing): Mitzi Owens (First) , Fletcher Harvey (Second)
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Archivist (*New): Missy Norris
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Audit Committee (Standing): Terri Barker, Jan Street, Rick Cybulsky, Gary Walker
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Awards Coordinator (Standing): Ken Hall
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Communications Committee (Standing): Webmaster, Richard Smith | Lead Newsletter Editor for Roots & Shoots, Vacant | AMGA Pathways Newsletter Contributor, Fletcher Harvey | Facebook Editor, Diane Remick
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Community Service Committee (Standing): Marian "Bunny" Fite (Co-Chair), Laura Kezar (Co-Chair), Cathy O'Sheal, advised by ACES Regional Extension Agent, Bethany O'Rear
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Fundraising Committee (Standing): Deanna Fowler, Jessyca McKnight (Chair), Susan McNamara, Darwin Bell, Amy Weis, ACES Regional Extension Agent, Bethany O'Rear
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Grants Committee (Standing): Yawntreshia Coleman (Chair), Vacant
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Hospitality Committee (Standing): Katherine Ennis (Chair), Francis Simpson & Rebecca Campagna
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Membership Drive Committee (Ad-Hoc): Amy Weis (Chair), Linda Massey, Katherine "Kat" Harper, Terri Barker, Jan Street, Kathy Sherrer, Laura Kezar, Melissa McLemore, Kenneth "Ken" Hall, Richard Smith, Darwin Bell and Fletcher Harvey.
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Policies & Procedures Committee (Standing): Charles "Charlie" Faulkner, Sandra "Sandy" McCarthy and Amy Weis (Chair)
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Program Committee (Standing): Hana Berres (Chair), Blythe Leisher, Vacant
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Sunshine Committee (Ad-Hoc): Jennye McCreary
Click here to view the Bylaws of JCMGA, Inc.
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