Projects

SMG 2020 Projects List:

• SCOPE 310 - Dwight James/John Norton

• Multipurpose Center, City of Tuscumbia Parks and Recreation Department - Brenda Bradford

• Spring Park Entrance Sign & Raised Bed, City of Tuscumbia Parks and Recreation Department - Dwight James

• St. Andrews Gleaning Project - Tim & Debbie O'Donnell

• Helen Keller Public Library Fall Beds Prune & Refresh Mulch  - Dwight James

• Florence-Lauderdale Public Library Fall Flower Upgrade - Wray Dillard 

• Helen Keller Birthplace -Betty or Dennis Balch

“The 2020 St. Andrew Gleaning Program”

One of the many volunteer opportunities that Shoals Master Gardeners are involved in is the Lauderdale County Gleaning Program. This involve accepting donations from local farmers. These awesome farmers bring their produce to the Lauderdale County Farmers Market. At the end of the day the farmers donate what has not sold to the Gleaning Program. SMG volunteers take these donations and redistribute them to local food banks and church ministries to help alleviate hunger in the Shoals.

For 2020 SMG has received:

• 6,370 Pounds!

• 20,334.03 Edible Cups 

• $11,208.22 in Retail Value

Thank you Lauderdale Farmers for donating to provide meals to Lauderdale County neighbors in need!

Shoals Master Gardeners will be providing volunteers for the St. Andrew Gleaning Project at the Lauderdale County Farmers Marketat 451 Fairground Road (off Chisholm Road just south of Cox Creek Parkway). We gather produce from the local farmers that are willing to donate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for the months of June through September. Last year we gathered over 3,500 pounds of produce and distributed it to either a food kitchen, food pantry or to a local women’s shelter.  

We have had two years of great success thanks to the hard work of the volunteers of Shoals Master Gardeners. I am hoping that all those who served last year will be able to serve again plus some new volunteers. The work is not difficult. First you call the Charitable organization’s contact person to remind them it is their day for the donations. Then arrive at the Farmers Market around 11:30 am, meet with the farmers, introduce yourself and remind them that you are receiving donations, then weighing and documenting the produce received. The charitable group will send a representative or two to pick up the food. They often help in the request for donations also. Usually, you are finished by 12:30 pm. One change we will encounter this year due to the COVID-19 rules, is we will be asking any volunteer to wear gloves and a face mask while working. 

I am still coordinating the pick-up dates with the Charitable organizations so the exact schedule is not complete yet. I will send this information to each volunteer once I get it completed, along with instructions on completion of the recording form and where the supplies are kept.  

Again, I really appreciate your volunteering. Please email me with any August/September dates you are available to volunteer. 

Tim O’Donnell

The Tuscumbia Multi-Putpose Center (TMPC) - Led by Brenda Bradford

This project began on June 22, 2020. Workers included, Paula Kelley, Sandra Wesson, and Lisa Maples. This is a project with additional plantings as the seasons change with updates as it progresses. 

I am sure you remember this originally was a project headed by Jerry Lewis. TMPC people have taken good care of it. This is our second consecutive year that we will do seasonal plants for the pots at the entrance. Mulch was requested by me to enhance the continued beauty of a SMG project, which includes replacing one Holly bush. 

We worked at Tuscumbia Multi Purpose Center again on September 30, 2020. Planted a Pencil Holly to replace one that died. Dug up a dead bush and transplanted two bushes to balance the look. Finished up with some mulch and a little pruning. The Center will keep them watered.

Tennessee Valley Art Museum-Lisa Maples, Project Coordinator

The Tennessee Valley Arts Association museum in Tuscumbia, Alabama landscaping refurbishing project was completed on Tuesday, July 7, 2020! Lisa Maples, Project chair, thanks the fabulous crew: Cynthia Kershaw, Linda Brewer, Kaye Hillis, Martha Mastrangeli, Paula Kelly, Dwight James, Margaret Lawler and Jenia Bradford.

Entrance to Spring Park, City of Tuscumbia - 2020

Dwight James, Project Coordinator