Celebrating Our 45th
This year, 2024, marks the 45th birthday of the Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program, and we’re taking time to celebrate. We take birthdays pretty seriously around here!
In June, we have a very special celebration that spotlights MGEV demonstration gardens! During the entire month of June, we are hosting Open Garden Days. Twelve counties have volunteered to open their demonstration gardens to the public and offer special events, like guided tours, speakers, and workshops. While many MGEV demonstration gardens are already listed on our Visit A Garden webpage, we have a digital comprehensive garden guide that outlines all the details of the many special events at gardens around the state in June. This guide can be downloaded and printed. Visitors are encouraged to check out as many of the gardens as possible!
Each time you visit a garden, complete the evaluation survey to be entered in a drawing for prizes. Be sure to include your name and email address at the end of the survey so that we can contact you if you win. One prize drawing entry for each garden visited and survey completed. There will also be a top prize awarded to the individual who visits the most gardens. To enter this giveaway, take a photo of your completed Open Garden Days passport and email it along with your name and phone number to masterg@uga.edu. Unique garden stamps will be verified, and the individual who has visited the greatest number of gardens will receive a prize. In the event that there is a tie for the number of gardens visited, winner will be determined by a random drawing. Winners will be drawn on July 2. All completed survey entries and emailed passports received by 11:59 PM ET on July 1, 2024 will be eligible for a chance to win a prize!
Before we dug into garden celebrations, we began our festivities with a visit to Georgia’s capitol on February 20, 2024. Along with members of the Georgia Green Industry Association and UGA Horticulture Club undergrad students, MGEVs from Coweta County helped distribute 500 potted ferns and informational packets with basil seeds to legislators’ offices. Representative Lynn Smith gave a shout out to Georgia MGEVs, reading a resolution that recognized MGEVs for their outstanding efforts that they contribute to Extension’s programming. We shared more in this post. Many thanks to the Georgia Master Gardener Association for sponsoring these basil seed kits!
Celebrations continued in April as we joined in the nationwide celebration of volunteerism during Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 21-27, 2024). A special article is published on the UGA CAES Newswire, sharing the accomplishments of all volunteers who support programming in Extension. MGEVs were recognized all week in our social media with highlights of specific projects and people. Check out our social media outlets for more Volunteer Appreciation Week posts! We had a virtual celebration packed with pictures, stories, shout-outs, and way-to-goes. You might just recognize a face or two! If you don't use social media, head to our Trellis Blog for the same content.
We’ll conclude our celebrations in October with the GMGA annual conference in Griffin on October 4-5, 2024. Hosted by the Henry County MGEVs, this event is sure to please! Friday preconference tours will highlight UGA Griffin research, while Saturday’s sessions will speak to the theme, “Think Globally, Grow Locally.”
Georgia MGEVs are unique individuals who use their enthusiasm about plants and gardening to support UGA Extension programming in consumer horticulture. We are excited to continue to celebrate their great work and accomplishments! We’re looking forward to a fantastic season of fun! Won’t you join us?
