Northwest Vermont Chapter 2018 Projects A Note to Interns and Volunteers Among the perks and joys of volunteering is making new friends while spending time “getting dirty” among fellow gardeners who are also earning their hours. There are volunteer opportunities that don’t require hands- on gardening as well as plenty that do. Don’t be afraid to offer assistance with a project. Planners may not yet realize they need help with gardening plans, signage, landscaping or other tasks. Without offering or asking how you can help, you may never know. I am constantly amazed at the incredible, selfless work being done around the state by our EMGs. Everyone I have met has become a friend. Having worked many hours at the North Branch Nature Center as my project, I can safely say that I look forward to socializing with my friends while we plant, prune, weed, dig and tackle whatever task is needed. In my job as Northern Support, I have visited many projects and continue to be amazed at their quality and diversity. How many pounds of food are grown and donated to food shelves around the state? How many non-gardeners learn from what we are doing and go on to have successful gardens of their own? How many public places and spaces are enhanced by our work? It is so appreciated by all who see the gardens, or reap the benefits of our work. Welcome to the program! Kitty Werner NW, Central & NEK Regions UVM Extension Master Gardener Program Support Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. Any reference to commercial products, trade names, or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. 2/2018 Contents Addison County Addison County Parent Child Center Bridport Youth Demonstration Garden Russell Memorial Library Garden Therapeutic Gardening at Helen Porter Rehab and Nursing Center The DAR John Strong Mansion Museum Herb Garden Chittenden County Growing Together Community Garden Burlington City Hall Gardens Deborah Rawson Library Garden Grand Way Adult Day Program Horticultural Therapy Vermont Garden Park, Wheeler Park TREEage UVM Greenhouse Integrated Pest Management UVM Teaching and Demonstration Gardens Williston in Bloom EMG Class & Flower Basket Planting Smilie Memorial School Kitchen Garden and Compost Project Ask A Master Gardener Table at Vermont Flower Show, Champlain Valley Expo Information Table, Vermont Farm Show EMG Helpline at UVM Extension Burlington Farmers Market—Ask A Master Gardener Table NW Chapter Plant Sale Essex Free Library Garden Rick Marcotte Central School Vegetable Garden Pollinator Garden at UVM Hort Farm Starr Farm Community Garden Ask A Master Gardener Table at Addison County Field Days Cornwall School Garden Club Garden of Hope at Fanny Allen Campus Memory Franklin County Down to Earth Community Garden St. Albans City School Farm to School Stewardship Project Taylor Park Display Garden, Rain Garden, and Gardening Night Out Free Community BBQ Event Milton Library Garden Grand Isle County North Hero Community Hall Northeast Kingdom The Seed Exchange at the Barton Public Library Addison County Addison County Parent Child Center The Addison County Parent Child Center works to provide support for children and families through programs such as child care, home visits, playgroups, housing services, training programs and consultations. Using the greenhouse, Extension Master Gardener volunteers work with the staff and families to teach gardening best practices. All produce grown in the greenhouse is donated or used by the Center. EMGs work with staff and participants at the Center in a greenhouse setting. They teach best practices of gar- dening, in particular greenhouse gardening. Produce grown will be used by the Center. During the gardening months a plot will be developed adjacent to the greenhouse. Volunteer Wishlist: They would like someone to help set up a complete composting system. Location: 126 Monroe Street, Middlebury Contact: Shari Johnson, [email protected] Website: www.addisoncountypcc.org Bridport Youth Demonstration Garden The Bridport Youth Demonstration Garden, aka Triangle Garden, is located in the center of town in Bridport. Extension Master Gardener volunteers help children from the local 4-H chapter establish and maintain the garden. Pat Morrow recently located the original map of the garden’s plantings. From the map, the volunteers are rec- reating, as much as possible, the original garden. Volunteer Wishlist: We could use more help cleaning the garden as we have been battling a nasty invasive grass. Another volunteer or two would be ideal Location: 52 Crown Point Road, Bridport Contact: Pat Morrow, [email protected] Russell Memorial Library Garden The Russell Memorial Library garden is a teaching garden. Labeled plants (flowers, herbs, vegetables) from beloved children’s books are used to engage children in growing their own food and reading. EMGs help the reading program volunteers teach children the basics of gardening and making it understandable in connec- tion with books. Volunteer Wishlist: More volunteers in the garden. Location: 4333 State Prison Hollow Road, Monkton Contact: Patricia New, [email protected]; Kathy Bushey, [email protected] Website: http://monktonvt.com/town-services/russell-memorial-library/ Therapeutic Gardening at Helen Porter Rehab and Nursing Center During the summer months, EMG volunteers meet in the sheltered courtyard for weekly gardening sessions with residents who are encouraged to participate as much as they want. There are several raised beds plus two in-ground beds. Here we grow herbs and vegetables for the kitchen, as well as flowers to decorate the indoor rooms. EMGs are also available to answer garden-related questions from visitors and residents alike. Volunteers are most welcome to join us for as many sessions as fits your own schedule. Before each session, Judith sends out an email describing the planned activities for that week. Let her know if you would like to be added to her email list. Volunteer Wishlist: Volunteers to work with the residents. Location: 30 Porter Drive, Middlebury Contact: Judith Irven, [email protected] The DAR John Strong Mansion Museum Herb Garden The Vermont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) own and maintain the Mansion and grounds and give tours to the public. EMGs are helping guide the garden restoration and implement pollina- tor friendly practices. The garden will become an integral part of the interpretive program and education mission of the museum. All mansion tours are guided, lasting approximately one hour, and tour guides will highlight how the herbs were used in colonial times with signage provided throughout the tour. Garden plants will be identified, accurately labeled, and a handout with herb information will be compiled/updated and available as a take-away gift. Volunteer Wishlist: More volunteers and a co-leader; plus help planning and creating signage in the garden and materials for the public. Location: 6656 Vermont Route 17 West, Vergennes Contact: Christina Shaw, [email protected] Website: http://johnstrongmansion.org Chittenden County Growing Together Community Garden The Growing Together Community Garden consists of individual plots of raised bed gardens, and is open to the community year-round. On occasion, harvested produce is donated to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. Extension Master Gardener volunteers educate community members on gardening and composting as well as assist in addressing common plant diseases. Started on the grounds of a church, this project has doubled in size over the years. Last year, they were lucky enough to have Master Composter Kathy Deemer join them to manage the compost site. Volunteer Wishlist: Volunteers are welcome. Location: 190 Pond Road, Hinesburg Contact: Jean Kiedaisch, [email protected] Burlington City Hall Gardens This display garden is located in front of Burlington City Hall. It was started by Professor Mark Starrett and is maintained by his students with the assistance of Extension Master Gardener volunteers and help from the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department. EMGs start seeds, transplant, and harden off annual plants which are planted with established perennials and trees in the garden. Volunteer Wishlist: Volunteers are always welcome! Location: 149 College Street, Burlington Contact: Jill LaMothe, [email protected] Deborah Rawson Library Garden Extension Master Gardener volunteers work with children to plant a garden that provides produce for the local food shelf. They also work with the public in the library’s perennial gardens, and organize educational workshops for the community. Each year, they plan a theme garden, from a children’s book, for the youngsters. This is an active group of enthusiastic volunteers who celebrate with snacks and social time after their work is completed. Volunteer Wishlist: Volunteers are always welcome. Location: 8 River Road, Jericho Contact: Susan Adams, [email protected] Grand Way Adult Day Program Horticultural Therapy The Grand Way Adult Day Care Program provides daytime care for adults who need extra