MGNA Projects and Teams
The following are MGNA Projects within the greater Huntsville area including City of Madison and Madison County. These projects are supported by MGNA, Inc. Volunteers are members and friends of MGNA, Inc.
Being a Master Gardener means you are a resource person for your community. There are so many ways to be an active Master Gardener…. browse this page on the various ways Master Gardeners of North Alabama get involved and help our community “grow!”
Hands-on Projects:
These MGNA sponsored projects in the community involve hands on work typically in an outdoor setting.
Hint: click on each title to learn more.
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| Description: This is an active three bin, welded wire, composting system maintained by MG volunteers. Free composting literature is available at the site which explains how to construct and operate a compost system. The system being demonstrated is the type recommended by the Botanical Gardens and the Master Gardeners of North Alabama for the backyard gardener. Volunteers will also promote composting and the various techniques at events by request. | ||
| Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden (Adjacent the Demonstration Vegetable Garden) | ||
| Project Chair: Jim Mullen | ||
| Contact Information: jamullen@mchsi.com |
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| Description: It's an edible classroom on display! The DVG demonstrates a range of proven gardening techniques; from traditional row style to small plot and raised-bed methods. Warm and cool season vegetables are grown seasonally. A rain water collection barrel and compost demonstration site are also nearby. MGNA volunteers maintain and answer visitor's questions on a regular schedule. Master Gardeners volunteer at the DVG, February to October, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 until … (finished).. During the winter months, our hours at the garden vary. Please contact us if you would like a tour or are interested in volunteering. |
| Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden |
| Project Chair: Susan Parker |
| Contact Information: vegetablegarden@mginfo.org |
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| Description: Horticulture Therapy involves working with and teaching special needs adults who attend the Adult Day Care at the Huntsville Senior Center.Activities include planting, weeding and harvesting plants in their outdoor courtyard. Table activities are also included which always involve gardening activities. We work with clients on Tuesdays from April to October. |
| Location: Huntsville Senior Center |
| Project Chair: Jean Lake |
| Contact Information: horttherapy@mginfo.org |
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| Description: Master Gardeners teach elementary school children basic gardening skills using the school greenhouse, raised beds and an outdoor courtyard. Each student designs, plants and tends their own ‘patch’ of garden. We expand their nutritional awareness by introducing fresh vegetable tasting. This year we are working with 5th graders on Tuesdays from 11:30 - 12:30.. Our ‘school year’ is usually September to mid May. |
| Location: Morris Elementary, Huntsville |
| Project Chair: Carolyn Wade |
| Contact Information: morris@mginfo.org |
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| Description: Soil acidity (pH) is a critical factor in successful gardening. Trained MGNA volunteers offer free basic pH soil testing at Huntsville Botanical Garden events such as the Spring and Fall Plant Sales, Master Gardener Day, and other events as needed around Huntsville and Madison. Volunteers also provide information on how to properly collect and submit soil samples for complete pH testing and analysis by our Alabama Extension Services (see link for more information). |
| Project Chair: Carol Cook |
| Contact Information: phtesting@mginfo.org |
Educational & Outreach Projects
One key aspect of being a Master Gardener is extending knowledge about gardening subjects to others. The projects below involve MGNA members doing just that! Hint: click on each title to learn more.
Description: The connection between a home and it's landscape is important! Master Gardeners have been providing educational and support services for the landscaping of new Habitat Homes. This includes design of the landscape, acquisition of materials, and instruction on installation and maintenance of the landscape.
Location: Huntsville
Project Chairs: Mary Ann Stasiak and Acacia Moore
Contact Information: habitatforhumanity@mginfo.org
Description: Master Gardeners provide valuable phone desk support for the community by staffing the Extension Help desk at the Madison County Extension Office on a volunteer basis. Information is collected via the phone or in person. When answers prove difficult to confirm, they are forwarded on to Extension staff for resolution. The desk is usually staffed from February to October by volunteers. Interested in signing up to help? Use the SUG sign up on the website to volunteer for a 2 hour shift. It’s a great way to meet people, grow your knowledge and share our mission. Our Extension Agent, Rhonda Britton, is always available to help if you have a question.
Location: Cooperative Extension Office, 819 Cook Ave., Huntsville, AL
Description: The Speaker's Bureau is a list of active Master Gardeners who have prepared presentations on various horticulture-related subjects and will present them to community groups upon request. If you wish to schedule a program, or (speakers), if you would like to add a topic to our list, please email our chair at: speakersbureau@mginfo.org. For a list of our topics, click here.
Project Chair: Melissa Kirkindall
Contact Info: speakersbureau@mginfo.org
Description: Learn to do it the right way - from growing that perfect lawn to dealing with pests or diseased or damaged trees.In support of our Extension Services MGNA offers seasonal, affordable and relevant horticultural workshops to the public. The more you know, the more you grow! View our current workshops here. Project Chair: Brenda Tapp Contact Information: workshopregistrar@mginfo.org
Description: Ask a Master Gardener responds to requests from businesses, garden clubs, churches, community events and schools wishing to have Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions or provide projects to engage children and their parents. Our mission is to get the entire family involved in gardening. Know of an event where we can share our knowledge and fun, contact our chairperson at the email below. For Interns, Ask a Master Gardener volunteer hours will count for Extension hours. Want us at your next event? Contact our chairperson at the email below. Project Chair: Wendy Brightwell Contact Information: wbrightwell73@gmail.com
Admin Teams and Chairs
MGNA is an association of trained Master Gardeners. Along with being service oriented, we are also social! These are the MGNA teams and chairs who lead, organize and engage our membership activities. Hint: click on each title to learn more.
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| Description: Annual Volunteer Awards are presented to recipients at our Christmas Social in December. Monthly "Give a Hand" awards are drawn at monthly meetings. |
| Location: Monthly Meeting Location |
| Project Chair: Stephanie Boyd |
| Contact Information: awards@mginfo.org |
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| Description: MGNA's large communication team is made up of volunteers sharing their time and talent to support how we communicate within our membership and across the community. Team members maintain this Web site (www.mginfo.org), our ACES Web site (for MGNA members only) and help write, edit and take photos for our online, quarterly y newsletter, the "Garden Thymes." Communication volunteers also maintain email distribution lists, design flyers for MGNA workshops and events and coordinate publicity. |
| Project Chairs: Meredith Kilby, Sue Khoury |
| Contact Information: communications@mginfo.org |
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| Description: Master Gardeners love to explore, share and have fun! MGNA organizes social events for its members throughout the year. There's field trips to area gardens, garden tours, picnics, fundraisers and our very special holiday party that wraps up our membership year. |
| Location: Various |
| Project Chairs: Multiples |
| Contact Information: fieldtrips@mginfo.org |
| Description: The Membership Chair is responsible for collecting Members dues annually. To join MGNA, you must be a certified Master Gardener or Provisional Master Gardener Intern. |
| Project Chair: Elouisa Stokes |
| Contact Information: membership@mginfo.org |
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| Description: MGNA's Project / Volunteer Coordinator is the POC for MGNA project chairs, assisting both the Board of Directors and Chairs in volunteer recruitment, project job descriptions and budgeting. |
| Project Chair: Sue Khoury |
| Contact Information: volunteer@mginfo.org |
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| Description: All fundraising efforts go to support the MGNA projects in our community. Fundraising efforts include; MGNA's Plant Sale, MGNA apparel and accessories sales. |
| Project Chair: Cyndi Lindbloom |
| Contact Information: fundraising@mginfo.org |
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| Description: Jane was a passionate educator for 30 years, and a gardener for most of her life. She became a Master Gardener in January 2003. This memorial grant honors her extraordinary life through teaching and helping others obtain an understanding of the importance and value in growing things of beauty and use, and connecting with others to share the wonders of horticulture. Through this grant, her legacy of friendship, gardening, humor, and boundless love for life continues. |
| 2021 Grant Instructions | 2021 Grant Application |