2025 membership classes begin Jan. 16
Press Release
New Officers have been elected to lead the Fluvanna Master Gardeners for 2025, as the volunteer organization prepares for the next year’s horticultural activities.
Kathleen Brunke has been elected president; Nita Forgnone as vice president and chair of community education; Mary Watt Bowers as secretary; Bob Eckman as treasurer; and Vicki Buffmire as chair for continuing education. The officers will lead and coordinate the volunteer organization’s efforts through the end of 2025.
During the course of the year, Master Gardeners contribute many hours to educate and increase appreciation of the unique horticultural ecosystem of Fluvanna County. At the recent year-end meeting, several members were recognized for providing milestone record hours of service: Rich Muccia, Claire Waters, and Nancy Busche Rossnagle have volunteered 500 hours of service to date, and Sue Tepper has provided a total of 2,000 hours. They are sincerely honored for their ongoing leadership and guidance.
Numerous Events and Hours
Fluvanna Master Gardeners offers an array of activities and events directed to both youth and adults, and members participate at times that are convenient and for topics that interest them.
Many member hours are required for the success of the Annual Plant Sale, May 3, which is an event marked on all wise home gardeners’ calendars. Many service hours are dedicated to the Butterfly Garden at Pleasant Grove Park which is carefully maintained and open year-round to the public. Adjoining it is a new greenhouse where members are coordinating seasonal projects. Other member teams tend to the Community Garden at Pleasant Grove where area residents grow produce and flowers for home use as well as providing contributions to the area food bank.
An ongoing youth education program is coordinated with Carysbrook Elementary School. And throughout the summer months, Master Gardeners lead weekly educational hands-on projects for youngsters through the Fluvanna County Public Library. There are weekly wilderness hikes, plus special events for Earth Day. Then, every Tuesday afternoon, April through October, homeowners commiserate and find solutions at the Master Gardeners help desk in the library. To top off the summer, there’s a Master Gardener tent with special activities at the Fluvanna County Fair. And, with special requests, Master Gardeners also provide special presentations at groups’ requests.
Membership Requires Volunteering
Volunteered hours are a requirement for membership in Fluvanna Master Gardeners. New members begin accumulating them following a training program, which is offered once a year only, scheduled Jan. 16 through April 17, and taught online and with field experiences by experts recognized in their subjects. The course subjects are extensive, beginning with basic botany and continuing through pests, diseases, and propagation, and covering the range from ornamentals to shrubs, trees, and grasses. Overall, there is a consistent eye to protection and conservation of the environment.
Full information on the activities and a membership application for Fluvanna Master Gardeners is available at the website, www. FluvannaMG.org.
