WELCOME

The Northeast Tennessee Master Gardener Association is group of trained volunteers who assist the University of Tennessee Extension in the counties of Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter and Unicoi. They provide education in home horticulture for the community members. The volunteers also organize and maintain garden projects throughout the region. The Master Gardener volunteer program allows individuals to dedicate their time and talents to enhancing the quality of life for citizens in the region using the science and art of horticulture.



NEWS

NETMGA RECOGNITION DINNER

The annual recognition dinner will take place on Monday, February 6, at the Appalachian Fair Grounds, Building 1.  Bring a covered dish to share.  Plates, plasticware, cups, and drinks will be provided.

6:00 pm - 6:30 pm   Set up of food and fellowship

6:30 pm    Dinner will begin

Coffee bar will be available.  This is a fund raiser for 4H, so bring some money.

Rhodes Logan from UT will discuss ways to provide endowments, gifts in kind, and estate planning.

New Master Gardeners will be introduced and Recognition Awards will be presented.  Door prizes will be given away.

Please wear your Master Gardener name tag.

2012 TMG WINTER SCHOOL 

Registration for the 2012 Winter School, February 9-10, in Murfreesboro is now available.  The school has both education and leadership tracks.  Erica Glasener is a keynote speaker for the school.  A highlight is the presentation of the Search for Excellence (SFE) awards.  Make plans now to attend. 

The program and the registration form can be found as attachments to this announcement.

NEWS FROM TMG ADVOCACY BOARD

Johnny Suthers was elected at 2011 Winter School to the TMG Advocacy Board, our Master Gardener statewide program's leadership group. 

For the Eastern Region the members are:

Johnny Suthers     jchemie@aol.com

Mike Payne           TNMASTERGARDENER@aol.com

David Craig           craigdavid@bellsouth.net

Chris Ramsey        chris.ramsey@utk.edu

2010 SEARCH FOR EXCELLENCE WINNERS

Two NETMGA projects have been honored by the statewide Master Gardener Search for Excellence (SFE) recognition program. SFE is designed to identify exceptional group projects which make outstanding contributions to their communities. The awards were presented at the Tennessee Master Gardener Winter School held in Murfreesboro on February 25, 2011.

The Braille Trail at Warriors’ Path State Park received a first place award in the category of Special Needs. Master Gardeners have worked in conjunction with other civic organizations to create a woodland path with native plants that can be enjoyed by children and adults of all abilities. Plants are clearly labeled with easy to read signs. There is also a large sign with a map containing pictures and location of the plants as well as Braille signage.

Braille Trail volunteers include Gwyn Duncan, Nina Hedrick, Joy Moore, Harold Burns,  Linda Carr, Jerry Cunningham, Candy Davis, Teri Duffield, Bill Grigsby, Jeanie Musson and Natu Patel.

The Gardens at the Johnson City Medical Center received a first place award in the category of Community Service. Master Gardeners have rejuvenated old gardens and created new ones with the goal of providing peaceful, soothing gardens for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff.

Master gardeners who volunteer at the Med Center include Regina Abbott, Heather Bagnell, John Barrett, Johnda Burdette, Carol Collins, Van Gambrel, Penny Hahne, Jim Hayes, Sandra Hayes, Vivian Hayward, Billie Hoover, Jack Libby, Penny Rutledge, Barbara Voigt, Carl Voigt, Jim Wilson, BB Woods and Mary Zamiska.