Speakers for the January CMGA Meeting

Olivia White Hospice Home - new shed

For our first meeting of 2016 we had 5 presenters from projects that we had funded last year. Last year we funded over $2700 to 10 different projects. 5 that were not able to join us are:   Riordan Mansion, Colton Community Garden/MNA, Pinyon Community Garden, Lowell Observatory, and St. Francis de Assisi.

 For the evening the 1st presenter was Sheila Murray, a researcher from the Arboretum at Flagstaff. They were funded for their Milkweed for Monarch Project. It is a large project that we provided funding for signage that began in 2015. 

Milkweed for monarchs

To collect local varieties of milkweed and then propagate in seed production beds here at the Arboretum, from which the seeds generated will be available to the public and landowners for their restoration and gardening needs.

The goal is to increase the amounts of native milkweed around Flagstaff to make a more hospitable place for the Monarch.   (from the Arboretum)

They will also have a new Butterfly House - local species that will be available at opening day.

2015 Grants

2015 CMGA GRANTS

APPLICANTS      AFFILIATION       AMOUNT        USE

1.       Jackee Alston & Hattie Braun, Grow Flagstaff! Seed Library, $250, for printing of signage, brochures, and other educational materials available at the county extension office

2.       Dot Himes & Valerie Dalton, San Francisco de Asis/ Love-a-Lot Project, $312, for purchase of tools, xeriscape plants, and native seeds

3.       Dave Schuck & Mary DeMuth, Lowell Observatory, $250, for creation of a Putnam Memorial Garden by Pluto Walk.

4.       Judy Springer & Laura Davis, NAU & Willow Bend, $250, for relocation of Michael Moore Medical Plant Garden to Willow Bend & NAU, for soils, hose, tools, and ground cloth.  

5.       Lissa Buyske, Colton Community Garden, MNA, $272.49, for hardware cloth in vegetable demonstration garden beds

6.       Tom Parker, The Arboretum of Flagstaff, $250-500, for a signage on the milkweed establishment program for monarch butterflies. 

7.       Dave Brimhall, Riordan Mansion, $207.15, for grape vine arbor over vegetable garden entrance.

8.       Rosemary Logan and April Smith, Pinyon Drive Community Garden, $214.85 (invoice from Peaceful Valley) for frost cloth, hoops for raised beds, and seedlings (no seedlings budget included).

9.        Linda Guarino, Olivia White Hospice Garden, $500 for a garden shed.

10.     Jeff Best, Sunshine Rescue Mission, $175 for the vegetable garden.

PROJECT SUMMARIES

MG Project Grants



Dave Brimhall, Dr. William Peterson (Northern Director, AZ Historical Society), Freddi Steele
Photo by Tammy Valdovino

 

Over the last 4 years our association has been giving yearly grants to master gardener projects. They have helped a variety of garden projects - schools, non-profits, and even some for-profits such as Emeritus Assisted Living that would not happen without financial assistance. Last month we invited some of the people leading those project to attend our monthly meeting and share results of those projects. Angie Fritz a master gardener and volunteer for many years used her funding to start a school garden program at Mountain Elementary School. The Pinon Community Garden was represented by Rosemary Logan and April Smith. They were able to install a drip irrigation system for their unique community garden. Unlike other community gardens each participant does not have a garden area. They all garden the plot together. Riordan Mansion was represented by master gardener Dave Brimhall. They have received several grants that have allow them to improve gardens and hardscape at a local treasure for visitors and residents. Last of all Freddi Steele showed the work done at the Pioneer Museum to allow people to safely access the property. She headed the "Pioneer Garden" work there. Dave and Freddi both work at AZ Historical Society sites in Flagstaff.

It was rewarding for all who attend the presentations to see the good work that Master Gardeners are doing throughout Flagstaff. Thanks to all who support us with memberships, participate in CMGA events, purchase fundraising items, and just volunteer their time and share gardening knowledge.

Loni Shapiro
CMGA, Education Chair