Maine Home Garden News — December 2019 Special Edition

In this time of reflection and gratitude…

Dear Maine Home Garden News Readers,

In this time of reflection and gratitude, I wanted to reach out one more time in 2019 to celebrate some of the individuals and groups that have made UMaine Cooperative Extension horticulture programming and outreach efforts a big success this year.

The behind-the-scenes staff supporting the Maine Home Garden News (MHGN)

These lovely folks are the important “elves” that work hard to make the newsletter visually appealing, maintain reader lists, update our websites, print and mail copies to readers without internet access and much, much more.

Their professionalism, attention to detail, creativity and timeliness are all very much appreciated.

Master Gardener and Maine Harvest for Hunger (MHH) Volunteers

These dedicated volunteers make a tremendous difference in their communities through a variety of incredibly meaningful projects. The need is huge for horticultural volunteers. Consider joining our team in 2020.

The 2019 numbers have been tallied and, wow, it has been an impressive year!

919 Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) gave more than 33,800 hours for educational and food security projects!

Maine Harvest for Hunger Volunteers distributed 193,649 lbs. of produce to 207 food security sites and countless neighbors in need this year. Since the inception of MHH in 2000, over 3,000,000 lbs. of fresh produce have been delivered to food pantries, soup kitchens, community meals, and individuals across the state.

YOU

Lastly, I’d like to thank you, our readers, for your passion for learning, for sharing your knowledge with others, and for giving us your feedback along the way. As a result of your engagement in the Maine Home Garden Newsletter and other UMaine Extension outreach efforts, you’re reporting increased consumption of home-grown food, improved soil quality, reduced pesticide use, increased use of native plants, positive engagement with the community and so many more great success stories.

We always welcome your feedback and ideas for future MHGN topics and look forward to sharing new information and inspiration in 2020.

Do you appreciate the work we are doing?

Consider making a contribution to the Maine Master Gardener Development Fund. Your dollars will support and expand Master Gardener Volunteer community outreach on a statewide basis.

Wishing you good health and happiness this holiday season.

Kate Garland, Horticulturist, 
On behalf of the UMaine Cooperative Extension Home Horticulture Team

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Maine Home Garden News is designed to equip home gardeners with practical, timely information.

Let us know if you would like to be notified when new issues are posted. To receive e-mail notifications fill out our online form.

For more information or questions, contact Kate Garland at katherine.garland@maine.edu or 1.800.287.1485 (in Maine).

Visit our Archives to see past issues.

Maine Home Garden News was created in response to a continued increase in requests for information on gardening and includes timely and seasonal tips, as well as research-based articles on all aspects of gardening. Articles are written by UMaine Extension specialists, educators, and horticulture professionals, as well as Master Gardener Volunteers from around Maine, with Katherine Garland, UMaine Extension Horticulturalist in Penobscot County, serving as editor.

Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

© 2019

Call 800.287.0274 (in Maine), or 207.581.3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit extension.umaine.edu.

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