Hummingbird wings flash as the tiny bird pokes its long beak into the vibrant orange jewelweed trumpets seeking a snack. Bees eagerly climb on the deep yellow goldenrod. Weeds to some, jewelweed and goldenrod are August food sources for these beloved pollinators. These sights and more often greet participants in the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener’s popular pollinator garden tours offered during summer months. Shedding light on pollinators, plants, and their place in our world are just some of the skills taught by this local organization of volunteers devoted to expanding their understanding of the natural world and sharing their excitement about it with others.
WMMGA originated as part of the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Massachusetts. It began operating as an independent organization in 1989. Today, it has over 240 members and manages over 40 gardening projects throughout Western Massachusetts. The association is now recruiting Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire County residents who are interested in learning environmentally sound gardening practices and sharing the information with the public to join the organization as the Class of 2019, its 30th year anniversary.
Hearing happy “Thank You’s” from gardeners who have come by a Master Gardener booth with a puzzling plant question and learned the answer or watching a bright butterfly land on newly planted purple coneflowers in one of the Master Gardener butterfly gardens are examples of rewarding moments experienced as MG volunteers.
Current Master Gardener projects cover four main categories: public education, community service, event/organization management, and continuing education. They include everything from helping maintain demonstration gardens to educating the public at garden venues and farmer’s markets, working at plant sales, manning the WMMGA’s Big E booth, answering gardening questions on e-mail and community hotlines and much more. In joining WMMGA, you have the opportunity to participate in as many of these projects as you like.
The cornerstone project of WMMGA is their Gardening Symposium series. Three symposia are offered each Spring, one in the Berkshires, one in Holyoke, and one in South Deerfield. Volunteers lead workshops, bring in speakers, perform event logistics, work with gardening vendors, and handle every aspect of this fun springtime tradition. Gardening experts and green industry professional speakers come from all around the local area to share their insights and knowledge with the public.
Walking into a woods for a weekend stroll, there are green, growing plants and earthy smells everywhere. The Master Gardener program’s other component, education, is like the lens that clears the view and brings the natural world into focus, enabling participants to see and start to understand not only the trees, but also the soil, the creatures, and the ecosystem they support.
Key to bringing Master Gardener Class of 2019 participants this focus are faculty and staff from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and other green industry experts as they present horticulture lectures that cover such topics as ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, identifying common pests and diseases, and sustainable gardening practices. There is something for everyone.
Participating in the WMMGA is a wonderful chance to gain an enhanced and deepened understanding of gardening and the natural world. To learn more about the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association and registration for the Class of 2019, visit www.WMMGA.org. This program is offered only once every 2 years. WMMGA is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the educational mission of promoting good and sustainable gardening practices. Registration deadline is September 21, 2018. Class size is limited. For questions, e-mail Sharon at rogalssm@gmail.com .