Link to the Calumet Co. Master Gardener Webpage
Our organizational efforts started in 1991 and took root solidly in the spring of 1992. When we look back over those ten years, we realize many things have happened for the benefit of all the citizens of our county. Our members have taught classes on pruning fruit trees, pruning ornamentals, propagating houseplants, planting flower and vegetable gardens, and other horticulture subjects. They have put on plant clinics to help the homeowner's with their problems. They have done in-field diagnostics for hundreds (thousands?) of people, and have fielded numerous phone calls through the years.
We have members working with youth through 4-H programs and the National Junior Horticultural Association. They are teaching youth about growing and caring for flowers, houseplants, vegetable gardens, trees and shrubs. Best of all, they are teaching the youth how to identify the plants around them. This is a basic skill that they can, and will, share with countless others as well.
We have members that serve on District and State Horticultural
Boards both for youth and for adults. Our members have served on committees and
become very involved in the projects, which Master Gardeners have done and
continue to do. Our first major project, when we started out, was the
landscaping of areas at Farm Progress Days. Since then we have moved on to many
other
community projects, some of which are: the planting and care of Chilton River
Walk, Chilton Library, and Klinker Park in the City of Chilton. Landscaping and
planting of flowerbeds at the Calumet County Courthouse, Calumet County
Fairgrounds, and prairie flower beds at Ledge View Nature Center. Some of our
members from the New Holstein area cared for and planted the New Holstein City
Planters on Main Street. This year, a group took on landscaping and planting a
flower garden for the residents of the Calumet Homestead Rehabilitation Center
in New Holstein. In addition, members were involved for a second year with
planting and caring for a vegetable garden for the Salvation Army Food Pantry in
Chilton. We also hold plant clinics at a garden centers and outlets around the
county during the spring. Through the years our organization has sponsored
classes for members and the general public. Some of the class topic were:
Christmas wreath making, grapevine wreath making, pumpkin painting, basketry,
making herbal vinegars, wheat weaving, and making cornhusk dolls. We mix
educational classes and workshops with fun, hands on classes and workshops. The
group regularly sponsors tours to locations of horticultural interest.
We have gone to the Ridges in Door County, the Mid-American Horticultural Trade Show in Chicago, the Chicago Arboretum in Wheaton, the Chicago Flower Show on Navy pier in Chicago, to prairies in Southern Wisconsin, and to private home gardens in the Madison area.
Our members donate many plants for our annual plant sale on the 3rd Saturday in May. This sale is our primary fundraiser. We also sell educational books, calendars, clothing, tools, recipe booklets, and other items in our fundraising endeavors.
We are all proud to be Master Gardeners and eager to share our knowledge with everyone. We are dedicated volunteers here to help give advice and to solve problems. Although we are a small group, we accomplish a lot through our dedication.
If interested in joining our group, please contact our President or our Advisor at the addresses below.
|
Joan Stillman, President |
Mary Kohrell, Community
Development Agent |