Community Service

Don’t forget our Grow More Give More project!  If you have extra produce to donate, please share with any food assistance organizations in your area. Be sure to log time and # of pounds of produce on the MG service report. (You can enter the pounds in the description field). We are working on getting a list of all food assistance organizations in your area that are able and willing to accept donations of fresh produce. Remember – every donation counts!! Whether it is 2 pounds or 200 pounds, it ALL counts! Take a look at the following link for more details. https://www.aces.edu/blog/category/lawn-garden/products-programs-lawn-garden/grow-more-give-more/ Laura Kezar and company are coordinating this project in Jefferson. She will be reaching out with more details soon. In the interim, if you have any questions, feel free to contact Bethany O’Rear.

We congratulate all of the team members of the McCoy Adult Day Care Center community group project who won the “Search for Excellence Award” from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System this year. Jefferson County Master Gardeners Mindy Bodenhamer and Cathy O’Sheal acted as mentors to 2019 JCMGA interns Bob Anderson, Betsy Brooks, Ross Callaway, and Patty Saffles. The team installed raised vegetable gardens, pollinator plantings and enhanced outdoor seating for the center’s clients who suffer from age-related memory illnesses. The Executive Director of the McCoy Adult Day Care Center, Vivian Story, has said that the clients and the staff loved the garden area and are looking forward to replanting this summer. ACES and the Alabama Master Gardeners Association are planning an award ceremony for later this season after the annual AMGA conference in Mobile was forced to cancel.

Master Gardeners can search through the Volunteer Opportunities page for ways to volunteer.  You can also sign up to work in the GPIC or join the Speaker’s Bureau.  Jefferson County Master Gardeners volunteer in a number of places and one pull down from this heading will bring you to all of the links.