Thyme Shares Master Gardeners & Friends

Master Gardener training was offered by UWEX Marquette County in 1998 for the first time. After completion of the 12 week class, the participants met with the intent of forming an organization that would concentrate on a horticultural outreach in Marquette County. Thyme Shares Master Gardener Volunteers & Friends was formed on September 20, 1999. This organization is an extension of the UWEX Marquette County but is responsible for the programs and activities that focus on horticultural related topics.

The current Master Gardener Volunteer class meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM. We have arranged the schedule so we focus on subjects matched to the season of the year. Most sessions have a guest speaker from the seven County Ag Specialization Team who have prepared their own presentations on the topics.

We have learned new ways of doing old things, socialized and made many good friends along the stimulating road to becoming better gardeners & stewards of our 'space'. It is our desire to take our love of gardening one step further ~ out into the community; where, through education & volunteer service, we can share our knowledge and help people with questions/concerns.

Our goals are:

• To introduce the youth in the county to the world in which they live in as many ways as possible.
• To form a community outreach for all those interested in gardening in collaboration with the UW-Extension ~ reaching out to be better gardeners and caretakers of the environment.
• To provide a multi-faceted support service in horticulture available to the entire community.

Projects/Activities

• COMMUNITY OUTREACH:  The topic chosen for the spring session program was Gourds for Birdhouse or Crafting.  At the opening of this program, we showed both a seed and dried gourd and shared ‘next year at this time, you should have gone from seed to dried gourd.’  Thyme Shares MGV & Friends presented this program in the spring so attendees would know what is in store for them in the months ahead should they take on the task of ‘growing gourds’. 

Each attendee received a handout, which featured all the information discussed during this program. At the end of the program, time was allowed for questions and comments.  With this information, one should be able to take on the task of growing; harvesting; curing gourds so they are ready for birdhouses or crafting come next year.

The committee had planned ahead last fall at harvest time, so were able to have gourds at various stages of curing available for viewing.  We were able to work with the Winnefox Library System and secure sixteen books that related to gourds.  This encouraged individuals to seek out the libraries for references ~ a great resource that is often underused.

At the close, all in attendance received a small planting container with six birdhouse gourd seeds ~ this should give everyone a nice batch of gourds.  A member of the community had donated dried & cured gourds to us ~ so those who wanted some to start working with right away had that chance as well.

• PLANT-A-ROW (PAR):  In 2000, the Thyme Shares MGV & Friends made the commitment to support and bring this worthwhile project to Marquette County.  The mechanics of the operation was developed over the early years and continue on strong yet today.  We work along with the Marquette County Care & Share Food Bank to provide fresh produce & flowers for those in need in our county.  Drop-off sites have been designated throughout the county (being the same location of the Meals on Wheels) and these drivers pick up donations and deliver them back to the Food Bank.  Our committee makes up informational packets and then promotes this outreach at local events throughout the year.  It is amazing how much ‘extra’ fresh produce comes to the Food Bank because of this awareness program.

This committee got an early start this year when in March they contacted the Garden Writers Association to request brochures and row markers.  They then contacted stores where seeds are sold – told them about the PAR project, and asked if they would be willing to donate some seeds.  Response from four places gave us enough to make up 100 informational packets which included the three packets of seeds; brochure that explains the purpose of PAR, drop-off sites for produce and a plastic row marker from the GWA.

To date, the committee has done distribution and promotion at the Fruit Tree Sale in April, Montello Daze and Bloomin’ Best.

• AG-IN-THE-CLASSROOM: The Marquette County Farm Bureau holds this event annually.  The Ag-In-Classroom is offered to all second graders in county schools to attend and learn some interesting facts about the farm by actually visiting it.  This was the fifth year that Thyme Shares MGV has participated ~ we have fine-tuned our program entitled GOT DIRT.  The students are only at our station for ten minutes so we have to grab their attention and trust we send them home with some valuable information.   We start out sharing the soils found in Marquette County and the pros/cons of each when it comes to using them for growing.  We then focus on recycling (got their attention there) and ‘our’ recycling is composting where we show actual examples of what to compost and what not to.  We move on to the beneficial insects (micro/macro) that are necessary in the compost process ~ if we’re lucky, we have some to share if not, we rely on our poster with data & pictures we’ve gleaned from Unit 2B UW Extension MG Manual; Wisconsin DNR and the internet.  The students next hear about the need for nitrogen (green/grass clippings) and carbon (brown/dried leaves) that we add to the process of composting.  Lastly, the children view finished compost and are allowed to touch if they choose ~ we stress that this is not dirt but completely made from recycled ‘stuff’ from our kitchens, yards and gardens.

   In 2008, Sofine Bovine Farm in Westfield hosted the May 2nd Ag-In-The-Classroom.  Over 250 second grade students from nine area elementary schools attended this event.  Students had the opportunity to tour the farm and attend a variety of different presentations: Biosecurity; cow; horse, poultry, swine, & sheep production (with actual animals on site for viewing/petting; dairy nutrition; milk house sanitation and a visit from the Marquette County fairest of the fair.  Before the students leave, they have lunch on the grounds served by Farm Bureau. 

• TREE SALE:  In order to encourage individuals to experience the benefits of garden/orchard ‘fresh’ ~ the master gardeners provide homeowners with fruit trees, strawberries, grapes, and raspberries at reasonable prices so one can have an orchard of their own.  Monies earned help with outreach projects throughout Marquette County.
• BLOOMIN’ BEST: Every May for the past five years, the Thyme Shares MGV and Friends have participated in this community event, which welcomes in the spring gardening season.  The event is sponsored by the Westfield Chamber of Commerce and includes several area nursery vendors, crafters and our group. Thyme Shares members dig, pots, and labels perennials from our own gardens.  On the day of the event, we sell for two and three dollars each.  We also answer many questions from the customers about plant needs and habits and do our best to fit them with the right plants for their gardens.  The proceeds earned are used for our outreach programs and scholarship awards.
• MARQUETTE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY GARDENS GARDEN RENOVATION:  Six years ago, our group started the garden renovations at the Marquette Historical Society Museum in Westfield Wisconsin, finishing the majority of our goals last year (2007).

At the beginning of this project, we were met with many challenges such as massive invasions of lily of the valley and common orange daylilies as well as many shrubs in need of hard pruning.

The gardens have come a long way since then with the addition of many lovely shrubs, perennials and ornamental decorations such as a birdbath, trellis’s, benches and a charming cherub statue.  Last year we added a small, quaint herb garden at the back door of the building.

Every Father’s Day, the Historical Society holds their annual strawberry ice cream sociable on the grounds. This is their main fundraiser and the event attracts many of the counties resident as well as visitors to the area.

Plantings at the Marquette Co. Historical Society Museum.

Thyme Shares has received many compliments on what we have accomplished here and this is a nice reflection on one of the many things Wisconsin Master Gardener Volunteers do to make our own little corner of the earth a lovelier place to be!

• TRIBUNE GARDENS:  Our local weekly newspaper, The Marquette County Tribune, is very supportive of Thyme Shares MGV & Friends.  They feature articles throughout the year on our organization ~ the coverage they give us is priceless.  So for a small token of our appreciation, we keep the planters maintained in the front of their business.  Annual plantings give all who come to their office warm colorful welcome.
• ANNUAL BUS TRIP:  On June 7th, our bus departed Westfield with 47 passengers aboard.  Not only did Thyme Shares members attend but also we had MGV from Waushara County and some ‘friends’ from the community, who have traveled with us before.  Our itinerary took us first to Song Sparrow Nursery near Janesville where we had a short orientation of their operation and then had the opportunity to browse the greenhouses and make purchases.  The next stop was Flower Factory near Stoughton where we received some information about their establishment and had a wonderful shopping venue.  In Oregon, we picked up our box lunches and headed to Lake Kegonsa State Park for a great picnic at the shelter by the lake’s edge.  Our last stop was at Olbrich Gardens, Madison but our visit here was short as the rains prevented us to truly have time to spend in the gardens. A wonderful trip with a bit of education and fellowship time.  Our bus returned fuller than when we left and some great specimens returned to our counties’ gardens.
• DAIRY BREAKFAST:  Marquette County celebrates June as Dairy Month with many festivities, one of which is a Dairy Breakfast that is hosted by one of our local farms.  The event includes a breakfast, music, and prize drawings.  A tour of the farm is also offered.  The Thyme Shares MGV & Friends have participated with a booth for several years ~ we display information about our organization, offer educational brochures & coloring books for the children and always on hand to people with garden related questions (if we don’t have the answers ~ we are able to direct them to the right source for getting them).
• FAIRGROUND CLEANUP: Each year in June, our members join together to
  clean up the gardens and trim shrubs at the Marquette County Fairgrounds. We have planted perennials and annuals to beautify the grounds. To complete this day of work, all members bring a dish to pass and enjoy a potluck supper.
• WIMGA CONFERENCE 2009:  Marquette County MGV has three of our members serving on the planning committee as plans are made to host this conference.  Marquette County duties are for the Set-up, Utility, Facility, Food and Hospitality.
• GARDEN WALK: Each year, Thyme Shares MGV & Friends sponsors a Garden Walk, hosted by private gardeners throughout Marquette County.  The date this year is July 12, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.   The theme for this year’s walk will be “The Garden Within”.  Eight local gardens are featured and since our walk will be the same weekend as the county fair, we are encouraging attendees to take in the fair and not only view the container exhibits by the 4-Hers but also the newest entry option which is container & hanging baskets entries by county organizations.

Each year one dollar of our ticket sales is donated to a non-profit organization. For 2008, we selected Bookworm ™ (formerly 1st. Book).  Relay for Life is providing a food stand at one of the featured gardens and Plant A Row will be accepting canned and non-perishable food items for the Marquette County Food Bank.   Each year we sponsor a plant sale with plants from our own gardens to sell at one of the featured gardens ~ these sales provide money used for our volunteer work throughout Marquette County.

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