Carroll County

Carroll County MG Annual Report 2006

1. Basic Information
# of active MGs    78
# of interns    20
# of volunteer hours    4931.25

2. Plant Clinics
# of active plant clinic sites    1
# of plant clinics    8
# of residents served at plant clinics    423

3. Bay-Wise
# of new yards certified as Bay-Wise (MGs and other residents)     ?
# of total Bay-Wise certified yards (all years combined)     ?

4. Composting
# of composting demonstration sites    3
# of residents who received a compost bin    178

5. Classes taught
# of classes/workshops taught by MGs    18
# of residents educated    1350

6. Awards/recognition

7. Grants:

8. Partners:

Carroll County Recycling Office
Carroll County Health Dept
Change Inc. – Mental Health Services
Carroll County Senior Centers
Carroll County Farm Museum
Carroll County Public School System
Carroll County Parks & Recreation
Westminster Tree Commission

9. Highlights from past year:

Heirloom Demonstration Garden Report for 2006

We planted heirloom plants: tomatoes, pole beans, macaslan beans, pretzel beans, celeriac, various cabbages, lettuces, beets, rainbow Swiss chard, potatoes, yellow squash, raspberries, lemon cucumbers, pocket melons, Cardoon, various herbs (thyme, lemon balm, basil, etc.), dipper gourds and period appropriate flowers (1850-1910), etc.
Provided hands-on heirloom plant propagation training to 5 new MG Interns.
We contributed (in total for the year) 438.5 MG Volunteer Hours in the Heirloom Garden
We had 25 Carroll County MG Volunteers participate during various periods of the year.
We did tours and explanations of the garden for approximately 1900 people during the course of the year.
Heirloom Garden was Certified as a Bay Wise garden. Bay Wise Sign placed in prime exposure location for the public to see.
Held annual Tomato Taste Off event in August inviting over 100 people from the surrounding communities to attend and share heirloom tomatoes and their related recipies.
Provided Heirloom Garden introductory training (powerpoint and in garden) to 2006 MG Class (18 Interns)
Opened the Heirloom Garden to visitors (guided tours) during the Maryland Wine Festival.
Tours of the heirloom garden for several hundred middle school field trip students and their teachers from outside of Carroll County, (Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, etc.)
Had Heirloom Garden media exposure (articles and photos) in the Westminster Eagle and Carroll County Times. (April 2006)

Baywise

For the better part of 2006 the Bay-Wise committee consisted of 5 members but at the end of 2006 we recruited 8 additional members for the 2007 season. In 2006 the committee focused on certifying 9 Master Gardener landscapes and 2 Client or Other Landscapes being the Carroll County Farm Heirloom Garden and Carroll County AG Center Gillette Garden.

In the fall of 2006 after recruiting additional members, we started contacting the county libraries and the nature centers in hopes of being able to present Bay-Wise material, fliers, and displays early in 2007. So for 2007, we have scheduled displays or presentations for the Westminster, Taneytown, North Carrol, Eldersberg and Mount Airy Libraries and also at the Bear Branch and Piney Run Nature Centers. Several members of the team will also be assisting at the CC Home Show in April.

Horticulture Therapy

Carroll County Master Gardeners are now in their 9th year on Good Shephards Way ( the dementia unit)at Carroll Lutheran Village. Each month the master gardeners try to build a bridge back to the community through a program that is nonthreatening and that provides an opportunity for success.

Residents are encouraged to make simple items that use natural materials and can be either taken to their individual rooms or used as decoration in the activity/dining room. One of the most successful projects has been making potpourri balls . the residents are encouraged to choose their own fragrance and their own fabric and ribbon. Using Garden and Nature magazines, to make various crafts, have proven to be excellent in encouraging residents to name colors and to reminiscence about their own gardens.
This program is recognized with many " cudos" by the staff at Carroll Lutheran. Those who attend are rewarded with smiles and hugs.

For more information, contact Robin Hessey

Last updated: 07/1/2007