The GMGA’s purpose is to stimulate interest, increase knowledge and share their enthusiasm, interest and knowledge. One of the ways we do that is by offering grants for specific projects in communities across Georgia.
Grants can only be applied for by active Master Gardeners, so if you have an idea for your neighborhood, please contact your local MG chapter.
If you are a MG, the latest (rev Aug282011) Grant Application may be found here.
Your District Director must sign your application. The list of DD’s and areas is here.
The projects which were awarded grant since July, 2011 are described below.
(One of the requirements of the grant is that a report must be furnished when complete showing us all how the project was successfully carried out and what was accomplished. Some of those reports can be found here and new ones will be added as completed.)
2012 November Grants Granted
Cobb County DueWest Elementary School Outdoor Classroom and Raised Bed Garden—
The Garden is designed to create and sustain an environment of learning, caring, and sharing. The proposed garden will serve as a resource to teach a variety of subjects. The principal has a goal that all 540 students attending Due West will participate in garden activities. Boy Scouts, Parents and teachers are involved in the project. Rita Fullick
Cobb County School Due West Elementary School Wildlife and Sanctuary Program.
Due West will be establishing a wildlife habitat. Working with the Audubon Society, Scouts, school children and Master Gardeners, a wildlife habitat will be created that reflects the essential elements defined by the Audubon Society and provide an environment where students will learn about wildlife species and ecosystems. Rita Fullick
Cobb County Green Meadows Preserve Community Garden
The primary goals of the Green Meadows Preserve are to promote self-reliance in home gardening and sustainable horticultural practices through soil improvements and composting, organic food production, integrated pest management, water conservation, mulching and rainwater harvesting. Demonstrations and workshops will be given. Raised beds will be developed. Carol Hanak
Cobb County The Center for Children and Youth.
The goals of the Center for Children and Youth are to expand the size of the garden and increase food production. The expansion the garden will benefit CCYA and the 150 plus youth who reside there. The produce raised provides food for the kitchen at the CCYA facility and earning opportunities for the students on the campus. Maureen Lok
Fulton County The Children’s Garden at Hillside
This garden has provided a peaceful and therapeutic environment since its inception in 1996. Upcoming changes will require moving 6 raised beds and will provide an opportunity to add 4 new beds. The project will entail moving six beds, creating 4 new beds and adding soil for a total of ten beds. The garden will serve as a multifaceted tool to teach skills, create a therapeutic environment and institute leadership in children that will eventually be returned to various Georgia communities. Gloria Seymour
Hall County Daffodil Project at Gardens on Green
The goal of the Daffodil Project at Gardens on Green is to create abold statement with over 1200 bulbs in bloom next spring. Children and adults will be taught how to grow bulbs beginning with soil preparation. Lee and Kathy Lovett
Hart County Children’s Garden Outdoor Classroom at the Hart Botanical Garden in Hartwell Georgia
The goal of the Children’s Garden Outdoor Classroom is to educate children about horticulture, gardening, animals and the natural world outside their homes. Learning Stations will be built to facilitate educating children in these areas. The Learning stations will offer permanent learning aids such as photographs and charts. Posters will be created on topics to be taught that can be used by volunteers. Robert Meaders
Houston County Healing Garden-Perry Hospital/Houston Healthcare
Master Gardeners working with Houston County Healthcare have been working together to develop a Healing Garden for the Perry Hospital. Signage for the plants in the Healing Garden will inform and educate those employees of the hospital as well as patients and their families as they enjoy the garden. Teddie Berry
Jackson County Braselton Junior Master Gardener Program and Nannies’s Children’s Garden
Two perennial gardens will be created. One will be a butterfly/pollinator garden and the other a general perennial garden. These gardens are in addition to three other perennial gardens. The goal is to have numerous perennial gardens which will demonstrate the huge variety of perennials that thrive in North Georgia. In addition they will provide educational tools for JMG students. Dave Rusk
Morgan County Heritage Hall Historic Medicinal Garden
Morgan County Master Gardeners seek to expand the rear garden at the historic Heritage Hall. The garden will contain plants used by Dr. Elijah Jones to prepare medicines for his patients. Signage will be placed with each plant providing summary information about its name and use. Flossie Dodge & Stephanie Hudak
Morgan County Morgan County Extension Office Demonstration Garden.
The purpose of this garden is to educate the public and create greater horticultural interest in ways to improve home gardens. An aroma garden, a butterfly garden and eventually a native plant garden will be developed. Plants will be labeled. The public and Master Gardeners are frequently at the Extension Office which will enable the MGs to ensure the garden is in good shape and to assist the public. Carol McKee
Spring 2012 Grants Granted
Bleckley County. – Cochran Community Garden
The goal is to establish a community garden in which each gardener will have full responsibility for his or her own plot, including planting flowers or vegetable, regular maintenance and harvesting. All age groups, income levels and races will be included with the objective of putting nourishing food on the table and having everyone work together and enjoying the diversity of the community. A key focus is to reach the unemployed and impoverished in the community as well many others. The hope is that working in a garden will be a great equalizer offering nourishment and education for all. They will provide monthly documentation of their progress.
Cherokee County – Burgess Arboretum at Reinhardt University
The project funds will be used for docent training materials to be used by Master Gardener/docents who will be leading tours through the Burgess Arboretum at Reinhardt University. In addition funds are requested for a DVD player that will play a video of Dr. Burgess talking about the arboretum and for brochures. Hundreds of visitors ranging from school children to garden clubs to green industry people visit the garden each year. Training docents will allow for more tours to be given each year. The project will be documented with digital photos of training and tours and the docent training manual.
Cobb County- Putting Out the Welcome Mat for Butterflies at Russell Elementary School
Vegetable and Butterfly Gardens have been developed at Russell Elementary School. GMGA funds will be used to provide teaching aids to be used by students when they work in the outdoor classroom. These include Mac’s Field Guide to Bugs of the Southeast, Common Butterflies of the Southeast, related books, storage tubs with lids, tools, plant labels and gloves. The project will be documented with photographs, curriculum materials and reports by students.
2012 UPDATE: Read the full report here
Dekalb County-Donaldson-Bannister Farm and Cemetery
The Donaldson-Bannister Farm and Cemetery is one of few historical preservation sites in the area. Several Dekalb Master Gardeners have worked at this site for 4 years, building raised beds and donating material. They have installed compost bins and an irrigation system. These master gardeners are requesting funds for signage and information for visitors which would include a cork board, chalkboard, shelf laminated info sheets, plexi-glass holders for info similar to the Fernbank exhibit boards. They will write articles for the SCOOP and local newspapers..
Hall County – Braselton Junior Master Gardener Program and Nannie’s Children’s Garden
Two related programs are being initiated in Braselton to provide the opportunity for the general population of the community to learn about horticulture and gardening. One of these is the Junior Master Gardener program and the other is establishing community demonstration gardens at the old Braselton family mule barn location. This specific grant request is to create a large perennial garden at the end of the barn foundation. This perennial garden will be the first of many flower gardens for the project. The project will provide opportunity for hands on gardening experience for the JMG students, as well as a community demonstration garden for the general population. Documentation will include photos, newspaper articles, a written history and an article for the SCOOP Funds will be used for soil additive, topsoil and compost, varieties of shrubs, perennials and bulbs.
Harris County(Troup and Musgoo also involved) – Oakhurst Farm Education Center
Funds for the Down and Dirty on the Farm two fold project at Oakhurst Farm Education Center will underwrite sensory rich, emotionally engaging, hands-on agricultural experiences for youth and adults. Part 1 concentrates on 400 students ages 4-8 who will visit each spring and fall. Detailed 3 hour discovery programs correlated to the Georgia Performance Standards will include traditional knowledge of agriculture and gardening. Concepts from all disciplines will be introduced. Part 2 will reach an additional 100 community youth of various ages that come on Saturdays to experience the farm and purchase local produce. A variety of community volunteers are involved along with master gardeners. A midterm and final report will be provided and programs and events supported by these funds will be posted and pictured on the Oakhurst Farm Education website. Funds for books, CD player with external speakers, perennial herbs, seasonal veggies, compost worm bed signage, shade trees and tent are requested.
Hall County – Braselton Junior Master Gardener Program and Nannie’s Children’s Garden
Two related programs are being initiated in Braselton to provide the opportunity for the general population of the community to learn about horticulture and gardening. One of these is the Junior Master Gardener program and the other is establishing community demonstration gardens at the old Braselton family mule barn location. This specific grant request is to create a large perennial garden at the end of the barn foundation. This perennial garden will be the first of many flower gardens for the project. The project will provide opportunity for hands on gardening experience for the JMG students, as well as a community demonstration garden for the general population. Documentation will include photos, newspaper articles, a written history and an article for the SCOOP Funds will be used for soil additive, topsoil and compost, varieties of shrubs, perennials and bulbs.
Houston County - Lake Joy Primary School-Junior Master Gardening Program
This project will focus on designing, building and maintaining the area on both sides of the Lake Joy Primary School sign. This involves tilling, adding topsoil and amendments. The project will teach club members gardening basics and reinforce values such as leadership and responsibility. The school bulletin board will serve as a means of documenting progress. The funds will be used for top soil, mulch, day lilies, and cement (for student made pavers).
Houston Co. – Russell Elementary School Junior MG Program
This JMG project is designed to stimulate student learning outside the conventional classroom while fulfilling Georgia Performance Standards in Math, Language Arts and Science for grades Pre-K-5. Hands-on activities and real world experiences will be used. This year the focus will be on renovating a pond and surrounding area as requested by the school. The funds requested will go towards, plants, planting materials, drip irrigation materials and educational materials. They will document through a monthly newsletter, journals and a year-end scrapbook.
Richmond County – Friends of the Martinez Post Office
Seven Richmond County Master Gardeners work on this project. The Goals of the project are: 1) to continue to create, expand and maintain an urban garden at the Martinez Post Office and 2) to provide educational gardening activities with individuals, families and youth. At the end of the project a written and photographic record of the project activities will be submitted. Funds for printing copies of educational materials, plants and planting materials, signage and 5-6 copies of Gardening in Georgia are requested.
Rockdale County – An Educational Garden
The Rockdale Master Gardener Association is building an Educational garden. The first phase of the garden will consist of a vegetable and herb garden with 16 raised beds. It will incorporate drip irrigation, composting site and extensive labeling. The garden will be used as a tool to teach good horticultural practices. All 72 Rockdale Master Gardeners will participate alongside Jr. Master Gardeners and 4H. They will document their project on a DVD that can be incorporated into the Scoop and put on the website.