Gardeners Getting Together

 

There is a parallel universe in which, for $25, you can get an entire day of gardening education, including lunch. Last Saturday, I had the good luck to find myself in that universe.

Me, presenting. Double-click to see
at full screen size and resolution

Master Gardeners are a self-selected group of amateurs who take gardening seriously. They study for and have to pass a fairly rigorous set of courses to qualify; but that’s just the beginning. They start giving back through volunteering and through continuing education. The best part is that they’re almost always smiling.

In Kentucky, Master Gardeners are organized through the University of Kentucky Extension Service and, according to the KEMG website, sixty-three counties have programs. One of those is Hardin County where the Lincoln Trail Master Gardeners make their home.

This year, the Lincoln Trail Master Gardeners organized an event titled, ‘Can U Dig It?’ at the Hardin County Extension Service in Elizabethtown. The building is a palace. It has classrooms that will comfortably seat a hundred, state-of-the-art projection, soaring atria, and ample public spaces. Kentucky is a state that apparently takes agriculture seriously.

Valerie Hicks, looking
slightly frazzled

I had spoken in Kentucky quite a few years earlier at the state’s Garden Club Federation annual meeting. Someone remembered me from that event and thought it might be nice to offer some comic relief to close out the day. An energetic lady named Valerie Hicks got in touch and we worked out a special program titled, ‘Real Life Is Not a Walt Disney Film’. The presentation was promoted as telling the true story of two people on Social Security (and I am quoting the program) “doing what no one in their right mind should undertake: building a half-acre pollinator-friendly native plant garden that contains not a square inch of grass.”

Peggy Cornet at her presentation

I had several tough acts to follow, but the one that riveted my attention was one titled ‘Rooted in the Past 250 Years’. The talk was delivered by Peggy Cornet, who has the title of Curator of Plants at Monticello. Monticello is, of course, Thomas Jefferson’s estate in Virginia. Ms. Cornet took us on a tour of the garden and, more important, a tour of the mind of Mr. Jefferson; who was at least as interested in horticulture as he was in writing the Declaration of Independence. She shared with the audience his hand-written notes on blooming times and the plant specimens that most interested him.

My immediate reaction after her talk concluded was that I should fake a sudden illness and plead to be released from my speaking obligations. She was that good.

Me, peddling books

As I interacted with the attendees that day, what was most striking was their enthusiasm and energy coupled with the reality that these people were having an exceptionally good time. The laughter was unforced. The stories they exchanged were acknowledged with many nods of agreement and “I’ve been there, too,” expressions on their faces.

These were dedicated gardeners in their natural elements. It was an honor to be there, even though I was technically hired help.

 A few of the CanUDigIt? attendees

Except I never felt for even a moment that I was merely being tolerated. I was included in all manner of discussions, especially over lunch (ham on a croissant with lettuce, tomato, and smoked honey) where gardeners asked me how things were done in New England. I even had my own private wonderful tour guides – Keith and Karlene Well – who introduced me to home-made bourbon ball ice cream at Drewster’s, a local shop where the staff is as friendly as the product is delicious.  It was sufficiently delectable that I insisted on stopping there on the way back to the airport.

Perhaps the best part is that I can hope to have a repeat experience in just a few weeks. Another group of Master Gardeners, this one in McHenry County, Illinois (northwest of Chicago) has invited me to present at their ‘Gardenfest and Expo’ the second Saturday in April in Crystal Lake. While I’m not a Master Gardener, I do have a badge that says I’m a Master Gardener Groupie.  I intend to wear it proudly.