Monroe County History: Master Gardener Association continues local floral heritage

Tom Adamich
·3 min read
This scene shows a robin, harbinger of spring, part of the Monroe County Master Gardener Association’s mission to share information on nature, including bird watching and beekeeping.
This scene shows a robin, harbinger of spring, part of the Monroe County Master Gardener Association’s mission to share information on nature, including bird watching and beekeeping.

I have written in the past about the American lotus and its role as an iconic symbol of Monroe as the “Flora City” and Monroe County’s agriculture-related businesses. It never hurts to be reminded of the flower and its influence in the area. According to American lotus expert Jeanne Micka, the American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) is prehistoric … fossils have been found in the same areas (especially the Niagaran Escarpment … Great Lakes basins) along with ferns, sturgeon, mastodons and mammoths. Native Americans continue utilize the American lotus in many ways – including using the seeds and roots for food. The American lotus leaves have been used for wrapping foods which are then roasted over open flame… The Lotus Garden Club was founded in 1951 and is still active today.

This image of spring flowers was shared by one of the members of the Monroe County Master Gardener Association members. The MCMGA was founded in 1995.
This image of spring flowers was shared by one of the members of the Monroe County Master Gardener Association members. The MCMGA was founded in 1995.

Another local organization that pays homage to the American lotus and other flora is the Monroe County Master Gardener Association. According to the description of the group on its website, the Monroe County Master Gardener Association was formed in 1995 and is run for and by active master gardeners. The purpose of the Master Gardener Association is to provide a forum for master gardener volunteers to meet on a regular basis, exchange information and continue to share their knowledge and love of horticulture with the community through volunteer service. We plan educational sessions, work days, tours, potlucks and so on to help members meet their continuing requirements and have more fun doing it.

Sightseers in a boat gather American lotus flowers from one of two American lotus beds on Lake Erie at Monroe, circa 1910. Lake Erie Metropark (Brownstown Charter Township) features two main American lotus beds, about 2 and 5 acres in size, respectively. The plants can be seen from the Cherry Island Marsh Trail, near the Marshlands Museum and Nature Center.

The Monroe County Master Gardener Association was also an outgrowth of Michigan’s statewide master gardener program. The Monroe Branch of the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Office has offered consumer horticulture education classes since 1987 and the Monroe Master Gardeners participate in the statewide Michigan Master Gardener Program.

As described in documentation provided by the MSU Extension Office, the Michigan Master Gardener Program is a comprehensive program rooted in the importance of plant-based education and practices. “Biological environments are essential to life. Michigan State University is a primary provider of plant research and education. The Master Gardener program, available to all citizens of Michigan, is designed to develop a cadre of Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) volunteers trained in horticulture. Their knowledge and skills related to basic plant science and home gardening enables these volunteers to improve the quality of life in their communities. This is accomplished by increasing people’s appreciation for and use of plants and by providing them with instruction on growing plants using environmentally sound practices.”

Brent Crane, MSU consumer horticulture educator, and Sarah Rautio, MSU Extension master gardener state leader, have high praise for past and current Monroe County master gardener efforts. Rautio also serves as the liaison to the Michigan Master Gardener Association (MMGA). MMGA was founded in 2012 and is the statewide support organization for Extension master gardeners (EMGs) and Extension master gardener volunteers in training (EMGVITs) throughout Michigan. It is a separate entity from MSU Extension.

Jennie Stanger of Dundee served as longtime coordinator and liaison to the Monroe County MSU Extension Master Gardener Program for many years. Along with other longtime members, including Carol Koesel and Linda Welch, the Monroe County Master Gardener Association organization continues to be active. Welch regularly posts updates of recent events at the group’s website – monroecountymga.org. A recent post featured information and photos related to a recent trip group members made last summer to the Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit, which included tours of its outdoor and indoor gardens. Another post shared information about beekeeping, and another recent contribution showed a harbinger of spring with a bird appearing in a Monroe County winter scene.

Tom Adamich is president of Visiting Librarian Service, a firm he has operated since 1993. He also is project archivist for the Greening Nursery Co. and Family Archives and the electric vehicle awareness coordinator at Monroe County Community College.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Master Gardener Association continues floral heritage