March, 2012 - Alabama Cooperative Extension System

March 2012 Volume XX Issue III
www.baldwincountymastergardener.com
Presidents
Corner

by
Bill
Loefstedt
By
the
time
this
is
published
we
will
have
had
our
first
‘Tuesdays
with
Master
Gardeners’
workshop,
I
hope
you
all
took
advantage
of
this
wonderful
learning
opportunity
and
brought
your
snacks
to
get
free
entrance.
We
will
have
four
more
sessions
before
the
end
of
March.
March
brings
the
beginning
of
a
busy
time
for
us.
Our
interns
treat
the
Master
Gardeners
for
lunch
on
March
7 th .The
Wolf
Bay
Watershed
Plant
Sale
comes
at
the
end
of
the
month,
as
does
the
Festival
of
Flowers
in
Mobile,
both
are
excellent
opportunities
for
obtaining
volunteer
hours.
It
won’t
be
long
before
our
own
annual
plant
sale,
the
week
after
Easter.
We
will
have
our
April
meeting
in
conjunction
with
a
program
featuring
Allan
Seales.
Our
local
garden
clubs
are
invited
to
the
program
and
early
sales
of
plants.
Lastly,
I
remind
you
of
the
Annual
AMG
Conference
being
held
in
Birmingham
March
22
thru
24
I
recommend
attending.
As
we
will
host
the
conference
in
2014
this
would
be
a
good
opportunity
to
get
a
feel
for
what
the
conference
entails.

You
will
easily
see
why
a
successful
conference
involves
all
members
of
the
host
city
organization.
Our
own
Conference
2014
Committee
is
already
busy
organizing
the
necessary
multitude
of
functions.
Our
monthly
meeting
will
be
at
the
104
facilities
on
the
8 th 
of
March
at
our
normal
time.
I
look
forward
to
seeing
you
all
there.
“The
earth
neither
grows
old
or
wears
out
if
it
is
dunged”

‐
Columella,
circa
45
AD
Baldwin County Master Gardeners
Board Meeting February 1, 2012-02-01
The Board introduced themselves to the 2012 Intern class at 9 AM with a brief description of
themselves. We then traveled to the Bryant Bank on Rt. 64 in Daphne for our Board meeting.
Bill Loefstedt opened the meeting at 10 AM.
Those Present: Bill Loefstedt, Peggy Loefstedt, Jimmie Van Valkenburgh, Myra Hannah, Pat
Greer, Paula Pritchett, Gene Sellier, Sherry Arnold, Nancy Gaines, Frieda Romanchuk, Tanys
Waldron, Barbara Comstock, Laurie Reddinger, John Meyer and Sam Andrews.
Budget 2012
Nancy Gaines passed around copies of her Actual Budgeted Revenues and Expenses for
our review and approval. She went over several of the budget items.
Festival of Flowers:
Bill Loefstedt reported that he had a call from the Mobile Master Gardeners asking us to
help them man their booth at the Festival of Flowers this year. Their display will be in the vendor
area. Festival of Flowers will be from March 29 th through April 1 st . The motion was approved.

Committee Reports
Outreach
Tanys reported that Arbor Day is on schedule and she has a lot of new master gardeners
coordinating these events this year, including Jane Denmark who is coordinating Arbor Day with
Bay Minette; this is a new venue this year.
Tuesdays with Master Gardeners’ education classes are on schedule.
Activities Updates
Tanys asked if Gene could put the names of the education class participants and the
seminar participants into a form on the web site for mass mailings. He will set up a Goggle
account for this use.
Laurie asked if there was some way to put a number of the ANR’s onto the computer so that
folks would not have to pull up the Auburn Web site every time we would want to look at an ANR
at an Outreach activity.
Other Items
1. Peggy Loefstedt received a call from the Fairhope Garden Club asking if they could borrow our
laptop and projector for a presentation. Our policies do not allow this unless it is a Master
Gardener doing the presentation on a “garden” talk. Bill will follow up with the Fairhope Garden
Club.
2. Frieda and Jane met and came up with some recommendations regarding lifetime
memberships for those who are over 90 years old. Their thoughts were that we could give a
lifetime membership to members who are over either 85 or 90 who have been a member for over
20 years. Sam found a clause in our Policies and Procedures where we decided not to have life
members. However, we do have Interns, Honorary members and Associate members. We could
either amend our policies or ask the Board of Directors to waive dues.
3. Frieda Romanchuk has met with all her committee heads regarding the 2014 Convention, and
she will have a meeting with the whole group tomorrow. Frieda is also working out a budget for this
convention with Jane Wright, and they are considering offering tickets to the public for our
afternoon speaker session. She is basing our attendance at the convention at 275 people. Frieda
will send her plan for the speakers to the State for approval, and then bring it back to the Board for
their approval. She does not expect our club to have any other expenses.
4. Joe Harrell will continue as our Historian, and Pat Greer will keep his books in good order at the
Help Line Office.
5. Barbara Comstock apologized for formatting errors in the January and February Grass Roots
newsletters. She needs a new PC and/or software and found that she can get Publisher for $8 that
includes software assurance. She could either use one of the computers at the Help Line Office,
or use the old laptop. Gene Sellier feels the old laptop is more than capable for her use. It was
suggested Barbara and Gene work together to select the best software option.
6. Gordon Cooper and Gene Sellier are still cleaning up the clubs website. Sherry will send
information to Gene concerning the Master Gardener project list.
7. Laurie sent around a draft of the new sheet for the recruiting requirements. The schedule for
turning in the application and payment will be held fast. She will bring this up at the next general
meeting, and Pat will throw out all the old application forms.
8. Selena Vaughn feels all plants being sold at the Plant Sale should come from professional
sources. The Board concurs with Selena regarding supplies, and we will back her 100%.
9. Nancy Gaines reported that one function of the Finance Committee is to audit the books. Jim
Gaines has completed this audit and submitted his document for the files. He has also prepared
and filed the tax return. Therefore, these two obligations are complete.
The next Board Meeting will be held Thursday, March 1 st at the Foley Library. Today’s
meeting closed at 1:15 PM.

Bicentennial Park in Stockton
Bicentennial Park, in Stockton, a new frontier with
many opportunities, is looking for volunteers. The park
has projects and opportunities for involvement in all
phases and levels. Currently, Jane Denmark, Laurie
Reddinger, and Sue Carberry are helping to enhance the
Devita Hastie site. They are also helping with the
Wilderness Camp Girls on their awareness of agriculture
and basic gardening. Last year assistance was received
from Joyce Mudrak, Jane Denmark, Shari Robinson, Meg
Whelton and Sue Carberry
The Memorial site is now asking for insight and
creative ideas to honor those men and women
protecting and defending our rights. Please try to add
this to your volunteer time. It takes all of us to make a
difference.
Contact info thru Nick Warren, Park Director, 580-
1826 or nwarren@co.baldwin.al.us
HELP
LINE
REQUEST
Mentors, please schedule some time with your Interns to
volunteer at the Help Line. Everyone else, please consider filling
the empty slots.
Remember the work is inside, you have a clean environment, a
fridge for your lunch, and you can do a lot of research on the
computers or with the books from the extensive Master Gardener library.
You can put your feet up, you can bring along some reading, knitting, or whittling. You can take a day off
from your household duties and chores.
Schedule on line at acesag.auburn.edu/mgmanager/login.
Or call Theresa at 752-4962 or Pat at 391-8483
Daphne Greenhouse needs your pots!
The Daphne Greenhouse needs your one gallon pots. Only the
trade gallon or true gallon size needed; no other.
These average about 7” in height & 6+” in diameter.
You may drop them off at the Daphne Greenhouse or at the monthly meetings at 104. For
more info, contact Selena Vaughn or any Daphne Greenhouse Volunteer.

Landscaping with Native Plants:
Community Education for Homeowners
March 31, 2011
9:00AM — 1:00PM
Weeks Bay Reserve Resource Center
11525 US 98, Fairhope, Alabama
• Increase your knowledge about native plants and their uses around your home,
• Learn about designing your yard-scape with native and desirable noninvasive plants,
• Gain the upper hand on those pesky invasive, nuisance plants common to our local area
and maybe to your backyard!
Expert Instruction provided by:
• Bobby Green, Green Nurseries and Landscape Design;
• Fred Nation, area plant expert; and
• Gena Todia, consultant with Wetland Resources.
There is no fee for this event.
For more details, contact:
Mike Shelton
Weeks Bay Reserve, 251-928-9792,
ARBOR DAY COORDINATORS – February 2012
Baldwin County Master
Gardeners helped out in six
locations - Bay Minette,
Daphne, Fairhope, Foley,
Magnolia Springs and Silverhill.
The weather was cooperative. A
huge selection of trees was
given out.
Photos of volunteers will be in
next month's Grass Roots.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Overall Coordinator: Tanys Waldron 550-6464 tanyswaldron@yahoo.com
MARCH 1 Board Meeting
6 Spring Public Workshop at 104, 6-8 pm
7 Intern Lunch for Master Gardeners
8 Monthly Meeting at 104
13 Spring Public Workshop at 104, 6-8 pm
20 Grass Roots Submission Deadline
20 Spring Public Workshop at 104, 6-8 pm
22-24 AMGA Conference in Mobile ‘The Magic of Gardening’
22-25 Mobile Botanical Gardens ‘Plantasia!’ Plant Sale
27-31 Spring Public Workshop at 104, 6-8 pm
31 ‘Landscaping With Native Plants’ at Weeks Bay 9 am
APRIL 5 Board Meeting
10-12 Tuesday through Thursday, BCMG Plant Sale Set up
12 Monthly Meeting at Weeks Bay
13-15 BCMG Plant Sale
20 Grass Roots Submission Deadline
21 Earth Day Mobile Bay, Fairhope Pier Park
25 Intern Class Graduation and Lunch Provided by MG
28 Old Time Country Festival at Bicentennial Park, Stockton
MAY 1-5 Southern Region Master Gardener Conference, Natchez
3 Board Meeting
10 Monthly Meeting at 104
12-13 Foley Flower & Garden Extravaganza
20 Grass Roots Submission Deadline
Festival of Flowers in Mobile. 9am to 5pm on: Thurs. March 29; Fri. 30; Sat. 31 and
from 12 noon to 5pm on Sun. April 1.
The speaker topic for General Meeting on March 8 th is entitled: "Oh, My Achin'
Back!" The speaker is Dr. Niky Alexander, chiropractor, who will hopefully give
us tips on how to save our backs, necks, shoulders, etc., while gardening.

Public Education Workshop Instructors
Front Row: L to R: Myra Lassere, Marilyn Mannhard
Back: David Gardner, Geri Andrews, Loree Hadley, Fred Nation, Carol Rhodes,
Not pictured: Barb Mühl Comstock
Tuesdays, 6 pm and 7 pm, through March 27th
Bring refreshments to get free admission, plus volunteer hours; otherwise it is $5 ea.
UPDATED Procedures for Recruiting Master Gardener Interns for 2013
1. Apply by October 8, 2012. Apply by calling Sandra Walton at the Baldwin County Office.
Applications can be printed online (WWW.ACES.EDU/COUNTIES/BALDWIN) and mailed in, however
Sandra still needs to be called for the applicant’s name to be put on a list.
2. Deadline for returning application is October 22. Send out part I, II, and III.
3. Auburn Human Resources Department clears applicants.
4. Letter of acceptance is mailed by November 19
5. Check has to be sent and cleared by December 3.
6. After checks clear, the books will be ordered.
THIS PROCESS TAKES 10 WEEKS!

BALDWIN COUNTY MASTER GARDENER SPRING PLANT SALE
Set up is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 10, 11, 12
Garden Club sale, seminar, and general meeting is Thursday, April 12
Plant Sale is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 13,14, 15, 9 am to 4 pm
Free gardening seminars on Friday & Saturday at 10 am and 2 pm.
Fred Nation talk on EDIBLE LOCAL WILD PLANTS March 19 at 6:30 pm
The Fairhope Local Food Production Initiative will present a talk by Fred Nation on Monday,
March 19 at 6:30 pm in the Ballroom at Homestead Village in Fairhope. Fred will be talking about
edible local wild plants. He hopes to have a few examples to show. Master Gardeners and the
public are encouraged to attend. It should be a very interesting and informative talk. We suggest a
$5 donation at the door. Info? Contact Marilyn Mannhard at mamannhard@gulftel.com.
Baldwin County Master Gardeners
% Jane Wright
13789 Underwood Rd
Summerdale, AL 36580
Next
Meeting:
March
8
at
104
The
March
speaker
is
entitled:
"Oh,
My
Achin'
Back!"
If
your
contact
information
changes,
please
contact
Jane
Wright.
251‐965‐3003
Janwrii98731@2gmail.com
or
bcmginfo12@gmail.com