One of Rome’s own Master Gardeners will present an educational and informative  program on pollinators.  Pollinators are responsible for assisting more than 80% of the world’s flowering plants.  Without them our world’s food source and the beauty of the flowers around us would greatly decrease.  Animals that act as pollinators to assist plants in their reproduction  process include species of ants, bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies, moths as well as other unusual animals.

As the current Floyd County UGA Extension Service Agent, Keith Mickler  provides solutions for agricultural and horticultural related problems and conducts educational  programs.  He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Tennessee.  He will instruct our members on the correct pruning methods to promote healthy growth of our shrubs and trees, and will also tell us when to prune to ensure flowers for the following year.

A panel consisting of Malcom Hodges, Caroline Alford, Terry Dollar and Dana Edgens will present an educational program on The Marshall Forest, a natural treasure, located on Horseleg Creek Road within the city limits of Rome, GA. It is one of the few remaining old growth forests in North West Georgia. The Forest is owned and protected by the Nature Conservancy of Georgia and supported, in part, by the state of Georgia’s Garden Clubs.  This program will be held at the Sarah Hightower meeting rooms.  Light refreshments will be served by The Federation Garden Clubs.

Native plants occur naturally or have existed a long time in a given area. They require no pampering and are happy in their surroundings.   Native plants do not require fertilizers and need fewer pesticides.  They also require less water and help prevent erosion.  Mr. Spencer from Plant Life Nursery in Floyd County will present a program on native plants that will thrive in our area.   If we are lucky he may bring some plants for our attendees to purchase.

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Laurel District will host the Garden Club of Georgia’s Fund-raiser benefiting their Historic  Landscape Preservation Grant Fund.  Individual tickets are $40.00  They include  lunch, a tour of Oak Hill, and the Gardens.  We welcome Tara Dillard an award winning and nationally recognized author and speaker, who hosted her own CBS-TV show, The Better Gardening Show.  Tara is the author of several books including  Garden Paths, Stepping Stones,  Beautiful by Design, and The Garden View. Tara will lecture on Modern Garden Design with Historic Inputs, a subject close to her heart.  She will also have time for book signing.