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Current Master Gardener Projects... |
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Chautauqua Auditorium – Waxahachie, Texas |
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Extension Office – Waxahachie, Texas The two large beds fronting the Extension office on the I-35E access road were designed by the Master Gardeners to be an ongoing example of the use of adapted and native plants that do well in our alkaline soils of Ellis County and require no additional water after the first year. The soil was amended with leaves, mulch and grass clipping and turned. The berms were designed to promote drainage and add eye appeal. Plants used were as follows: Desert Willow, Nandina both domestica and compact, Lirope, Russian Sage, Rosemary, Carolina Jasmine, Mexican Petunia, Red Yucca, Lantana, Crepe Myrtle, Pampas Grass, Feather Grass, Sedeum, and bulbs that would naturalize. The bed has been completed for three years and is not on any additional water now. |
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Farmers Market – Waxahachie, Texas Each Saturday beginning in May through the last Saturday of October, the Ellis County Master Gardeners join local farmers at the Downtown Waxahachie Farmers Market. They spend the day answering questions and handing out informative materials on a variety of horticultural subjects.
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| ECMGA Living Classroom – Waxahachie, Texas |
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Veterans Memorial -- Waxahachie, Texas The Veterans Appreciation Committee approached ECMGA to design a planting around the memorial. Our vision was low growing plants that would enhance, rather than distract from the overall message. At full bloom, 1000+ native and drought tolerant plants form waves of red, white and blue to welcome patrons to the Civic Center and serve as a beautiful tribute to our veterans.
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Wildflower Meadow -- Ovilla, Texas 3000 square-foot garden off Main street, at the rear of Heritage Park in Ovilla. Purpose: To showcase planning, planting of native North Texas wildflowers. Seeds are purchased from Wildflower Farms or Turner Seed. They are specifically suited for North Texas (mix). Ground is leveled and seed planted in October or November. Meadow is mowed in August. Note: This project was requested by the Mayor of Ovilla in 2000 as part of the city beautification proposal. The city positioned railroad ties as perimeter edging and installed permanent water source near the meadow. |
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Color Garden at Getzandaner Park The 2005 Class Project is in the ground and growing by leaps and bounds. We invite you to come out and see the Color Garden when you have a minute to enjoy it.
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Classroom Teaching Project - The Elementary School/Junior Master Gardener Project committee has been busy in two areas. We have implemented a Junior Master Gardener program at Pettigrew Academy (a small private school) at their invitation. One of the Project committee meets once a week at Pettigrew to give lessons and monitor student involvement using the Junior Master Gardener Handbook. Also, the twelve members of the Elementary School Project have been busy finalizing preparation of a Speakers Bureau for schools. The bureau offerings will include three topics suitable for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades; these are, Plant Development, Insects and Diseases, and Ecology and Environment. We have sent out letters to the science teachers and principals at the four WISD elementary schools. We will test this approach to teaching in the classroom at the elementary level. With the growth of the project committee, we hope to offer the Speakers Bureau county wide. If you are interested in joining the committee please contact Mimi Deloach. |
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Speakers Bureau - Need a guest speaker for your event or meeting, contact Arlene to schedule a speaker today. We have experts in a variety of fields: lawn & turf, pesticides & fertilizers, organic methodology, fruits, veggies, nuts, trees, perennials, annuals, birds, bats, butterflies, composting, herb gardening, water gardening ... contact Arlene for more specific information! |
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| Scholarship Program | ||||||
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Ellis County Youth Win 2006 Master Gardener Scholarships Three enterprising Ellis County youth have won $500 scholarships through their efforts in the study of horticulture, agriculture or related field in High School and plan to continue those studies in college. Congratulations to Jessica Marie Axelson, Lucas Butler, and Whitney Leann Davis. Jessica Axelson, daughter of Robert and Lisa Axelson, graduated from Midlothian High School and will attend Tarleton State University in the fall. Displaying leadership talents in Midlothian FFA, she excelled in Quiz team for three years, Public Relations, and meat goat competitions at the Ellis County Youth Expo. In High School, Jessica was active in band, Color Guard, Lieutenant in 2005, and French Club. Jessica’s abilities, work ethic, and accomplishments receive praise from her teachers and peers. She continues to enjoy a lifelong love for dance and Taekwondo. Lisa hopes to pursue a career in agriculture either through teaching or agriculture communication. Lucas Butler, son of Ronny and Julie Butler, 2006 graduate of Palmer High School, will attend Panola College, Carthage, Texas in the fall. Lucas will major in AgriBusiness and will contend as a member of the rodeo team with plans to continue his education at Tarleton State University. As part of an ongoing interest in raising Boer goat and horses, Lucas desires to increase his knowledge of land management and agronomy in order to provide good pasture nutrition for his herds. After college, Lucas hopes to expand his herds to include rodeo stock and bucking horse production. In High School, Lucas excelled not only in academics, but also in leadership roles. He has served as President of Palmer’s Future Farmers of America chapter and as owner of his own goat business, shares his expertise as a consultant to others in the goat industry. He draws from years of animal care, field planting, hay production, and business management. Lucas is also active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle. Whitney Leann Davis, daughter of Ronald L. and Shawn Davis, graduated from Ennis High School in May, 2006. Whitney will begin studies in Horticulture at Tarleton State University in the fall. With this degree, she plans to build a nursery business including greenhouse and landscaping services. An outstanding student at Ennis High School, Whitney was active in numerous school activities and held a part-time job. She worked in and around the greenhouse giving much of her time to propagation and maintenance of thousands of nursery plants. As an extension of her love of horticulture, she participated in the Texas State Nursery and Landscaping Competition. “Horticulture allows me to be creative and constructive. I love being able to take something simple and turn it into something beautiful. Being able to work with nature is invigorating and gives me a sense of true accomplishment,” she says. Ellis County Master Gardeners offer scholarships to deserving County High School Seniors annually. For 2007 scholarships, please apply through the Texas Cooperative Extension, Ellis County Office, 701 South I-35E, suite 3, Waxahachie, TX, 75165, by May 1, 2007. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, religion, disability, or national origin, the Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas cooperating. A member of the Texas A&M University System and its statewide Agriculture Program. |
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Other Projects Red Oak planting Oak Leaf planting |
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| If you have any questions, please email us directly by clicking here. | ||||||
