Elmore County-Alabama Extension

Branch and Bloom Society

The Branch and Bloom Society honors those who invest in the future of Alabama communities by supporting the Alabama Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Through their generosity, members help cultivate learning, stewardship, and service opportunities that empower volunteers to make a lasting difference across the state.

The society serves as a well-deserved recognition of individuals who contribute to the program’s endowed fund for excellence. Make a donation today to support the life-changing influence that Extension Master Gardener volunteers have in local communities.

Growing Knowledge, Growing Communities

For more than 40 years, Alabama Extension Master Gardeners have connected people to the research-based gardening resources they need to create healthier gardens, stronger communities, and more sustainable landscapes.

First formed through Washington State University Extension in 1973, the Extension Master Gardener Program came to Alabama in 1981, thanks to the efforts of Mary Lou McNabb. As a Cornell Extension Master Gardener volunteer, McNabb wanted to bring the program to Alabama when she and her husband moved from New York. She worked with former Madison County Extension Agent Gary Murray and Alabama A&M University to make that a reality—cementing her legacy as the mother of the Alabama Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

In 2025, Alabama Extension Master Gardener volunteers donated more than 19,000 pounds of fresh produce. Also, the value of their total volunteer service was $3.24 million.

Today, education remains at the heart of everything the program does. Through extensive training and continuing education, Master Gardener volunteers branch out into their communities to share trusted horticultural information at libraries, botanical gardens, farmers markets, civic events, demonstration gardens, and educational workshops. These dedicated volunteers help Alabamians bloom and prosper—teaching them about pollinator habitats, native plant conservation, composting, growing food, and other gardening practices that improve local communities and the environment. Many volunteers also maintain gardens that donate fresh fruits and vegetables to local charities—another example of the program’s community impact.

Join the Society

With only a $20 minimum, your donation automatically enrolls you as a member of the Branch and Bloom Society. Your contribution to the Alabama Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program Endowed Fund for Excellence helps sustain the program’s educational efforts today and builds a pathway for future expansion of the program’s reach across the state.

Managed by the Auburn University Foundation, you can donate to the endowment online at give.auburn.edu. All gifts are tax deductible. There are also opportunities to donate to this endowment through estate giving. More information on those types of donations is available at auburngiving.org/estate.

Thank You!

As members of the society, you are ensuring that future generations of Master Gardeners will continue to share research-based knowledge, serve their communities, and cultivate positive change across Alabama. Together, we can grow more than gardens. We can grow stronger communities for years to come.

Thank you for your donation and becoming a member of the Branch and Bloom Society!

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/branch-and-bloom-society/

Branch and Bloom Society - Alabama Cooperative Extension System The Branch and Bloom Society is made up of those who go above and beyond to support and advance the mission of the Alabama Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

Join me in wishing our favorite 4-H Agent, Courtney Heritage, a very Happy Birthday. She is the best!
Happy Birthday Courtney, I hope you have a wonderful day!

Alabama Extension Brings More Content to Simply Southern TV

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is known for providing education and outreach to the people of Alabama through its offices in all 67 counties. Now, thanks to an expanded partnership with Simply Southern TV, Alabama Extension is also reaching audiences weekly as they tune into the show from the comfort of their homes.

This season, Alabama Extension became the presenting sponsor of Simply Southern TV, which is produced by the Alabama Farmers Federation. Every episode of the 30-minute show now includes a full segment focused on Alabama Extension programs and educational efforts.

Mike Clardy, communications director for Alabama Extension, said this step is helping reach a new audience with timely information.

“Our partnership with the Alabama Farmers Federation reflects a shared commitment to education, service and storytelling,” Clardy said. “Together, we’re highlighting the people, programs and research that strengthen agriculture, families and communities across the state.”

An Impactful Partnership
Simply Southern TV started its 12th season on the air in January. Alabama Extension’s original sponsorship dates back to 2021 and season 7.

“Back then, we provided content for every other episode, and the focus was really on gardening and home horticulture,” Clardy said. “Eventually, we branched out and provided segments about other program areas. This new agreement allows us to do even more and gives us additional airtime to tell those impactful stories every week.”

Jeff Helms, communications director for the Alabama Farmers Federation, said the increased partnership is a testament to the strong relationship that exists between the two organizations.

“Alabama Extension hosted the farmer meeting in January 1921 which led to the creation of the Federation,” Helms said. “We continue to share a mission to improve the quality of life for Alabamians — especially farmers and rural families. Extension has been a loyal sponsor and contributor for Simply Southern TV. We are excited to offer audiences even more content from Extension specialists and agents.”

Sharing Extension’s Story
Through its history, Simply Southern TV has shared the state’s best stories focused on farming, gardening, forestry, rural living and youth in agriculture. Those stories have been discovered all over Alabama, from its highways and backroads to its barnyards and metros.

The first 13 Alabama Extension segments aired for the first time between January and March. The segments covered content about all focus areas including agriculture, forestry and natural resources; human sciences; 4-H; and urban programs.During an on-set interview, viewers learned more about new Alabama Extension Director Eve Brantley and her vision for the organization. Among other topics, these features have promoted the importance of soil testing; provided an update on cotton jassid, a new pest for Alabama cotton farmers; covered the Your Money, Your Life financial education program; and introduced the Green Up Alabama initiative.

“We have a lot of flexibility in how we share the story of Alabama Extension within Simply Southern TV,” Clardy said. “We can go out and shoot video in our counties and produce a segment, or we can bring agents and specialists right into the studio for interviews. Video is a powerful storytelling tool, and this agreement ensures over a million Alabama households experience our messages through video every year.”

New episodes for the second half of season 12 began airing in July.

Catch the Episodes
Simply Southern TV airs on Sunday mornings on five broadcast stations in Alabama. Those stations and airtimes include the following:

- WAKA 8 out of Montgomery at 5:30 a.m.
- EEAR 15 out of Mobile at 6 a.m. (formerly WPMI)
- WBMA 33/40 out of Birmingham at 6:30 a.m.
- WAFF 48 out of Huntsville at 9 a.m.
- WNCF 32 out of Montgomery at 10:30 a.m.

To reach additional viewers, all episodes are available on the YouTube channel and page for Simply Southern TV.

For more information, visit simplysoutherntv.net.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/about-us/alabama-extension-brings-more-content-to-simply-southern-tv/

Alabama Extension Brings More Content to Simply Southern TV - Alabama Cooperative Extension System Thanks to an expanded partnership with Simply Southern TV, Alabama Extension is reach audiences weekly as they tune into the show from the comfort of their homes.

Urban Green: Back 2 Basics Wednesdays Webinar Series

Join the Alabama Extension Home Horticulture team for the Urban Green: Back 2 Basics Wednesdays webinar series. This live, online educational series provides basic gardening and landscaping training for individuals in limited-space urban areas.
Tune in on Wednesdays

When: First and third Wednesdays of each month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. CT

Where: Online

August 19 - Considerations for Selling Your Produce
https://www.aces.edu/event/back-2-basics-gardening-series-3/

Registration
Individual registration is required for each session. This format and the information it gathers allows the Home Horticulture team to better serve the people this series reaches. To register, visit www.aces.edu/go/Back2Basics or click the direct links listed for each session below.

Become a Citizen Scientist in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census returns to Alabama Aug. 21 and 22. This two-day event gives anyone the opportunity to become a citizen scientist and observe, count and celebrate pollinators. This is an enriching activity that people can do in just 15 minutes, either alone or with others.

Bethany O’Rear, an Alabama Extension home horticulture agent at Auburn University, said by being involved, everyone can learn a lot and enjoy the little things in nature.

“Participants will get as much from the census as the researchers do, if not more,” O’Rear said. “This is especially true if this is someone’s first time participating.”

About the Census
Starting in Georgia in 2017 and becoming statewide there in 2019, the census looks to increase the entomological literacy of residents and generate useful data about pollinator populations. In return, organizers hope these efforts lead to the creation of more sustainable pollinator habitats across the Southeast.

The 2026 Great Southeast Pollinator Census will include thousands of participants from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. Alabama Extension joined the project in 2025 and invites anyone to participate regardless of their gardening experience.

Melanie Stonestreet was an Alabama participant in the 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census. She highly encourages people to participate and learn about the benefits these insects provide.

“Participation in the pollinator census is simple and fun,” Stonestreet said. “It is designed so that people of all ages and all levels of knowledge about insects can participate.”

How to Count
To participate in the census, people first need to select a spot where they will count pollinators. For those who do not have an ideal spot in their yard, they can often find pollinator host plants in a local park, botanical garden, zoo, green space or recreational area. It is also good for people to know the different types of pollinators that they might see. Find information about Alabama’s pollinators and pollinator plants on the Alabama Extension website, aces.edu.

On Aug. 21 or 22, participants watch their selected plant at any time of day for 15 minutes, count the number of insect visits and log the numbers on a count sheet. If the selected plant is too large to watch at one time, select a 2-by-2-foot section of the plant to count. People can record multiple counts, but each count should be on a different plant. Once the counts are logged, participants have three weeks to upload their count sheets to gsepc.org.

The data collected by citizen scientists is crucial to helping professionals spot trends in pollinators, such as seeing specific pollinator groups outside of their normal region. It also helps to identify how weather is affecting pollinator populations depending on species.

More Information
For more information about the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, visit gsepc.org or aces.edu/go/4749. People can also contact the Extension home horticulture agent in their area. Additional information about pollinators is available at aces.edu.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/become-a-citizen-scientist-in-the-great-southeast-pollinator-census/

Become a Citizen Scientist in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census - Alabama Cooperative Extension System The Great Southeast Pollinator Census returns to Alabama Aug. 21 and 22. This is an enriching activity that people can do in just 15 minutes.

FREE -- Wild Pig Workshop
Weogufka Center for Arts, Entertainment and Education
145 Memorial Loop, Weogufka, AL 35183
September 12th, 2026
9:00am - 1:00pm

- Trapping and management of wild pigs
- Breaking down a pig carcass
- Growing herbs that pair with port
- Safely preparing pork

Now Free for everyone!
Children's activities available.

Registration required at: www.aces.edu/go/6615

Mark your calendars and get ready to put your eagle eyes to work! The Great Southeast Pollinator Census returns August 21–22, 2026.
This fun, hands-on citizen science project gives people of all ages the opportunity to identify and count pollinators in their backyards, gardens, and communities. Every count contributes valuable data that helps researchers better understand and support pollinator conservation across the Southeast.

Participating is simple:
Print a counting sheet from the link below.
Choose a plant.
Count and identify each insect that lands on the plant for 15 minutes.
Upload your results.

Will you join Aubie and help count pollinators? We hope to see you participating August 21–22!

Learn more about the Great Southeast Pollinator Census and download your counting sheet here: https://www.aces.edu/go/GreatSoutheastPollinatorCensus

FREE Wild Pig Workshop
September 12, 2026
9 am to 1 pm

Join us at the Weogufka Center for Arts, Entertainment and Education on September 12th at 9:00 am for informative sessions on trapping and processing wild pigs, as well as learning about herbs that pair well with pork and safe food preparation! Children's activities will be available. All ages welcome! Free admission.
Registration is Requires: www.aces.edu/go/6615

Friday is the last day to register for the Walk Across Alabama Challenge.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) invites the public to participate in the Walk Across Alabama Challenge from August 1 to October 31. The initiative begins at AAMU and ends at the Alabama-Florida line.

How to Register

Registration begins on July 1 and ends on July 31. Just click https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bga7A12mE7z4RQa to join as an individual or a group. Also, be sure to stop by one of the following county Extension offices, which are serving as checkpoints, to pick up a swag bag:

Calhoun
Houston
Jefferson
Madison
Mobile
Montgomery
Morgan

Elmore (If you live in Elmore County call 334-567-6301 to arrange help in registering and/or to pick up your swag bag after registering).

Monitor Your Progress

Each participant is asked to walk at least 320 miles over three months—from August to October. This distance is equivalent to walking from AAMU to the state line between Alabama and Florida. Download the Challenge at a Glance
(https://www.aces.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Challenge-at-a-Glance.pdf ) sheet for suggested weekly and monthly goals.

Walking Like a CHAMPION

The Walk Across Alabama Challenge is an activity of Walking Like a CHAMPION, a fitness program designed to increase regular physical activity and reduce risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. The program combines walking, aerobic dance, and muscle-strengthening exercises that are adaptable to all fitness levels. Each session helps to improve strength, endurance, balance, and self-confidence while allowing participants to progress at a comfortable pace in a supportive environment.

For More Information

Contact Shavita Wood-Warren at (256) 947-9852 for more information.
Click here to register: