Flora Fest Gives Locals a Step Toward Lush Summer Greenery

Despite the dreary weather, the Charlotte County Master Gardeners held a celebration of gardening and nature at the Charlotte County Extension Service Building on Saturday, April 25. A variety of plants were available for purchase, in addition to informative lectures presented by Dr. Charles Davis and Regional Virginia Wildlife Biologist, Blair Smith.

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All items sold at Florafest were donated by members of the Charlotte County Master Gardeners as an effort to raise money for scholarships and local projects within the county. According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension website, “Extension Master Gardeners are trained volunteer educators. They work within their local communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management education and training.” All Master Gardeners have undergone a minimum of 50 hours of  classes in the horticulture curriculum and have given back a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work through the local Extension office.

Florafest literature stated, “In the last few years, we have sponsored projects at each of our Charlotte County Public Schools and awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving college students.” A total of $3,000 in scholarship money was awarded during 2014.