By MG Linda Barrett
Hi everyone,
While recent weather may have contributed to some soggy gardens, Master Gardeners have been keeping busy with a variety of activities. In case you’ve missed any monthly MG meetings, keep in mind that we record the meeting announcements and speakers. These recordings can be accessed using the Monthly Meetings and Events page on the MCMG website.
During the month of May, 50 first graders visited the Derwood Demonstration Garden. After dividing the students into groups, Garden Educators read them a story, led garden tours, and provided lessons on soil and beans. The children loved “Ms. Pam” (MG Pam Hosimer, University of Maryland Extension Snap-Ed coordinator and MG co-chair of the Garden Educators) and all the Garden Educators. One little girl said, “I love the garden.”
We had a wonderful Spring Potluck Picnic at Derwood on Thursday, June 5. The food was outstanding, and it was great to sit and chat with friends. We distributed five, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service pins at the picnic. If you missed picking up your pin, check the Ballard Room at Derwood for your pin. If you’ve asked Steve for a new MG badge, those are also available in the Ballard Room on the bookshelf.
We held our first planning meeting on June 12 for a 2026 Spring Gardening event. Educational activities will focus on the Derwood Demo Garden and also feature information tables on a variety of garden topics. Planning will continue over the summer and details should be available in the fall.
Our new intern class started on Monday, June 2. Classes are in person on Mondays and online on Wednesdays from 9 am-3 pm. The Intern Job Fair was held on Monday, June 23 from 1:50-2:50 pm. Committees created informational displays and interns signed up for activities that they might be interested in to fulfill their volunteer service requirement.
Looking ahead, we have four large-scale volunteer opportunities coming up soon:
The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is August 8-16. MGs and interns will sign up for three-hour shifts at the fair.
Garden Discovery Day will be held on Saturday, September 27 at the Fairgrounds. Children of all ages are invited to engage in garden related classes. Lots of MGs and interns will be needed to help with logistics, teaching classes, and assisting with classes.
Harvest Festival is Saturday, October 4 and we will have garden tours, Tussie Mussies, and several information tables set up.
Close Encounters with Agriculture will be held four days a week throughout the month of October. MGs and interns will be needed for logistics, teaching classes, shepherding kids, etc.
I truly appreciate everyone's commitment to the MCMG mission and hope that you will volunteer for some of the upcoming activities. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Linda
