Our Accomplishments
Annual Reports
2022
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
A total of $9,294 was awarded in 2021
Awarded $3,994 in grants to outreach projects across the state.
UConn Master Gardener Class interns received $3,500 in scholarships.
Extension Centers received $1,800 in financial support.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
The 2022 Anniversary Symposium was held virtually due to COVID concerns, on March 20 with 175 participants with two international speakers, Dr. Noel Kingsbury, British naturalistic planting designer in gardens and landscapes and Australian gardening writer Georgina Reid. Nearly $5,125 was raised from registration fees.
2023
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
A total of $14,075 was awarded in 2023
Awarded $5,575 in grants to outreach projects across the state.
UConn Master Gardener Class interns received $4,000 in scholarships.
Extension Centers received $4,500 in financial support.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
The 2023 Anniversary Symposium took place virtually on March 5 with 175 participants with international and regional speakers. Over $6,000 was raised from registration fees.
Emphasis in 2023 was on Member events with:
Plant sales from Nursery Day at McCue Gardens & MakeFest joint plant sale with the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, Hidden Gem Nursery, Lockwood Farm & Broken Arrow Nursery.
Garden tours at Hidden Gem Orchard, Meigs Point, Broken Arrow Nursery, Enders Island & Conn College Arboretum.
TSV Workshops for Interns at 5 locations across the state at Conn College Arboretum in new London, Cedra Hill Cemetery in Hartford, Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, James L. Goodwin State Forest in Hampton & Edgerton Park in New Haven.
ORGANIZATIONAL & COMMUNICATIONS
A new ad-hoc committee on diversity, equity & Inclusion was formed to ensure these core values are incorporated into all CMGA’s mission statement, Board and member recruitment, programs, and events.
2021
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
A total of $12,734 was awarded in 2021
Awarded $5,359 in grants to outreach projects across the state.
UConn Master Gardener Class interns received $4,000 in scholarships.
Extension Centers received $3,375 in financial support.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
The 2021 Anniversary Symposium, rescheduled from 2020, took place virtually on March 20 with 300 participants. Nearly $10,000 was raised from registration fees. Keynote speaker was Margaret Roach, a New York Times columnist and author of A Way to Garden.
Plant sales raised over $2,327 from Nursery Day at McCue Gardens and the first successful MakeFest joint plant sale with the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford.
The Summer Safari and Semi-Annual Meeting were not held due to COVID concerns.
The Annual Meeting was held virtually on November 13, with guest speaker Jana Milbocker, author of The Garden Tourist’s New England.
2020
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Awarded $7,151 in grants to 20 projects across the state
The UConn Master Gardener Class of 2020 received $6,000 in scholarships
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
The 2020 27th Anniversary Symposium was cancelled due to COVID 19, rescheduled for 2021.
Nursery Day at McCue Gardens attracted 111 attendees raising $1,057.
July Summer Safari and Semi-Annual Meeting included a President's message video and a video tour of Raspberry Knoll Farm.
ORGANIZATIONAL & COMMUNICATIONS
CMGA Board adopted new technology for holding virtual events
Enhancements to ctmga.org website included enhancements to secure payment and introduction of “Member Happenings” Blog
2019
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The UConn Master Gardener Class of 2019 received $6,000 in scholarships
Awarded over $7,200 in grants to 26 projects across the state in 2 rounds due to high demand
CMGA Board implemented new criteria as part of a new Grants Evaluation Procedure
Strong educational component
Accessible to the public or non-profit it serves
General number of people potentially supported
Long term benefits
Number of MGs/Interns involved in the project
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
The 2019 26th Anniversary Symposium had 300 attendees at Connecticut College and raised $5,178
June Worm Day in Middlesex County attracted 25 attendees
July Summer Safari and Semi-Annual Meeting included speaker Shari Forster and tours of Wakeman Town Farm, Blau Gardens in Westport with 50 in attendance
ORGANIZATIONAL & COMMUNICATIONS
A new CMGA website was developed and implemented: ctmga.org
New website platform (SquareSpace) offers enhanced security
Easily accessed and read on all devices
2018
Grants & Scholarships
Master Gardener class scholarships –$6,000
Master Gardener grants to coordinators –$6,750 ($750 to each coordinator)
Master Gardener outreach grants ‐ $8,425 to 26 projects
Events & Activities
25th Anniversary Annual Symposium – 360+ attendees, $2,000+ raised
July 11 Summer Garden Safari and Semi‐annual Meeting to 3 private gardens in Litchfield County, 89 attended
Hometown Habitat film screening at 3 locations (Litchfield, Fairfield and New Haven counties)
Nursery Day at McCue Gardens in Wethersfield on June 13 raised $683
Annual Meeting in Hartford County at the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford with speaker Kirsten Martin
Sale of Spearhead Spades raised $432
Commemorative Daylily sale raised $716
Book sales at the 2018 Symposium raised $682
Sold discount tickets to the CT Flower & Garden show as a service to our members
Organizational & Communications
Changed the CMGA newsletter, The Laurel, to an online format to decrease costs
Increased membership dues from $20 to $30 effective in 2019
Website redesign project began
Transitioning to Google GSuite
2017
Grants & Scholarships
Awarded 12 scholarships
MG Scholarships budget increased from $3,500 to $6,000
Awarded over $6,400 to 24 outreach projects
Extension Center Grants budget increased from $500 to $750
Events & Activities
Annual Symposium - 336 attendees, $6,700 raised
May 4 bus trip to Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA and the Variegated Foliage Nursery in Ashford, CT
Summer Safari and Semi-Annual Meeting on August 24, to Ender’s Island and Kentford Farms in Mystic, CT. 100 people attended
Hometown Habitat documentary film screening at 4 locations (Tolland, Windham, New Haven, Middlesex)
Nursery Day at McCue Gardens in Wethersfield on May 27 raised $408
Annual Meeting held in Litchfield County with speaker Lars Demander
Commemorative Daylily sale raised $424
Sales of Spearhead Spades raised $916
2016
Grants & Scholarships
Master Gardener class scholarship –$3,500
Master Gardener grants to coordinators –$4,500 ($500 to each coordinator)
Master Gardener outreach grants ‐ $6,000 budgeted; increased to $8,000
Events & Activities
March 19 Annual Symposium –350+ attendees, $6,000+ raised
July 23 Summer Garden Safari and Semi‐annual Meeting held in Windham County
August 2 CMGA board meeting at Colchester Town Hall, followed by tour of Cohen Woodlands Butterfly Garden
Joined the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut as an affiliate
Connecticut College Arboretum member rate for all CMGA members for Smaller American Lawns Today (SALT) Conference
Organizational & Communications
CMGA volunteers donated 35,643 hours of community service to towns and cities across the state
No increase in membership dues, Symposium fee, or Summer Safari fee for 13th straight year
CMGA online merchandise store implemented
2015
Grants and Scholarships
Provided almost $8,000 in grants for over two dozen projects across our state
Enhanced our grant application process for better service
Events and Activities
Hosted the Annual Symposium March 21 with over 350 attendees
Held our August Board meeting at Buck Lodge in the Connecticut College Arboretum’s Native Plant Collection
Co-Sponsored the Smaller American Lawns Today (SALT) Conference at Connecticut College
Hosted an ice cream social for MG classes 2014/15 at the UConn Farm Tour
Organized the July Summer Garden Safari to two wonderful gardens in Fairfield County
Hosted the Annual Meeting at the Tolland Agricultural Center with featured speaker Judith Dreyer
Communications
Expanded the CMGA website to include more information and resources
Watched our Facebook participation grow: - over 500 photos added - over 2,000 postings – over 81,000 views of posts - over 2,000 post feedbacks
Organizational/Administrative
Seven new members joined our Board
Awarded Billy Baxter and Marge Bingham lifetime memberships
2014
Grants & Scholarships
over $13,000 was given out in 2014
Grants – over $5,000 was budgeted for MG Intern and MG projects across CT
MG Intern Scholarships – $3,500
MG Coordinator grants – $500 ($4,500 total) to each MG Coordinator
No increase in dues, Symposium fee, and Semi-Annual Meeting fee
The Laurel
Autumn edition featured a new letterhead designed by Editor Alicia Cornelio. 60% of CMGA members now receive The Laurel online only. Expanded Summer and Fall editions
Events and Activities
March 15 Annual Symposium – Over 300 attendees, raised over $6,000
June 7 Private Tour of the Connecticut College Arboretum
July 26 Summer Garden Safari – appearance on WLIS (CT Outdoors with Suzanne Thompson)
November 2 FREE Annual Meeting Featured Speaker: Glenn Dreyer author of CT Notable Trees
31 CMGA Retail Partners
Fourth MG Coordinator/CMGA Board Potluck Lunch
Lifetime Membership for John Carlson (we now have 6 Lifetime Members). All Lifetime Members receive free CMGA memberships, free admission to the Annual Symposium and the Summer Garden Safari
CMGA Giveaways at the Annual Meeting and all MG graduations
CMGA Board Meetings held in Bethel and CAES Research Farm in Griswold
CMGA Facebook Page Over 2,500 postings
2013
Grants & Scholarships
Over $12,000 was given out in 2013
Grants – over $6,000 was budgeted for MG Intern and MG projects across CT
MG Intern Scholarships – $3,500
MG Coordinator grants – $300 ($2,700 total) to each MG Coordinator
No increase in dues, Symposium fee, and Semi-Annual Meeting fee
More than half our members have opted to receive The Laurel online instead of mailed hardcopy
Events and Activities
March 23 Annual Symposium – Almost 370 attendees, raised over $10,000
July 20 Summer Garden Safari – close to 60 attendees
November 9 FREE Annual Meeting Featured Speaker: Pam Cooper author of A Wild Safari into the CT Landscape
31 CMGA Retail Partners
Third MG Coordinator/CMGA Board Potluck Lunch
Lifetime Membership for Paul Grimmeisen (we now have 5 Lifetime Members). All Lifetime Members receive free CMGA memberships, free admission to the Annual Symposium and the Summer Garden Safari
CMGA Giveaways at the Annual Meeting and all MG graduations
CMGA Board Meetings held at Goodwin Forest and Waxman
CMGA Facebook Page Over 2,000 postings
Joined TechSoup and Restaurant Depot (free) to reduce technology and event costs
Began transitioning accounting to Quickbooks
2012
Grants & Scholarships
$12,000 was given out in 2012 (Over 25% more than 2011)
Grants – over $6,000 was given for MG Intern and MG projects across CT
MG Intern Scholarships – $3,500
MG Intern Scholarships - $3,500
MG Coordinator grants – $300 ($2,700 total) to each MG Coordinator
Events and Activities
March 24 Annual Symposium – Over 370 attendees, raised over $9,000
June 19 FREE Evening of Wine and Roses, Elizabeth Park
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UConn signed
July 21 Summer Garden Safari – over 80 attendees
August 23 Flash Mob Planting, Hebron Fairgrounds
November 3 FREE Annual Meeting 25th Anniversary Celebration. Featured Speaker: Kevin Wilcox, Silver Spring Nursery
25 CMGA Retail Partners
Second MG Coordinator/CMGA Board Potluck Lunch
Partnership with CAES Associates, co-sponsor CIPWG Invasive Plant Symposium
Lifetime Memberships for Ellen Morse, Enid Sherman and Bob Sherman. All Lifetime Members receive free CMGA memberships, free admission to the Annual Symposium and the Summer Garden Safari
Presenting 101 – FREE classes for Master Gardeners and Master Composters
CMGA Giveaways at the Annual Meeting and all MG graduations
Communications
25 years of CMGA newsletters (1987 – 2012) collected, logged and posted on the CMGA website
CMGA Board Meetings held at the Bartlett Arboretum, New Haven County Extension Center and the New London County Extension Center
Appearance on WLIS/WMRD’s CT Outdoors with Suzanne Thompson
CMGA Facebook Page – Photos from all CMGA events Photos from 2012 MG and Master Composter graduations
2011
Grants and Scholarships
Grants – almost $4,000 in grants for over two dozen MG Intern and MG projects across CT
MG Intern Scholarships – $3,000
Events and Activities
March 26 Annual Symposium – Over 300 attendees, raised over $1,000
Lifetime Memberships for John Neff and Marie Dube – a new annual effort to recognize significant contributors to CMGA
June 15 FREE Elizabeth Park Rose Garden Tour
Presenting 101 – FREE classes conducted in 4 counties, over 100 attendees
FREE Connecticut College Arboretum Tours
June 25 tour attended by both CT and RI MGs
July 7 FREE Ice Cream Social for 2010/2011 MG Intern UConn Farm Tour
First MG Coordinator/Board Potluck Lunch
July 23 Summer Safari – over 70 attendees, raised over $600
Oct 16 FREE Victorian Naturalist Walk, Goodwin Forest
CMGA Jacket Giveaway at all MG graduations across CT
Nov 5 FREE Annual Meeting – Featured speaker Rob Durgy, door prizes and more!
Nov 19 Elizabeth Park Close the Rose Garden Volunteer Opportunity
Communications
Expanded CMGA website (over 60 pages) includes MG events in Ext Offices, online Registration/payment for all events/membership, downloadable membership card, CMGA financial info available
The Laurel – members can now opt out of receiving a mailed copy
CMGA Facebook Page – articles, photos, upcoming events
Photos from all 2011 MG graduations and CMGA events
Organizational/Administrative
Monthly CMGA Board Meetings held around the state:
2011: Bartlett Arboretum (Fairfield County), Goodwin Forest (Windham County), Tolland County Extension Center
Liaison program enhancing partnership with Extension Centers
CMGA Partner Discounts – 3 new retailers added this year
Bylaws/Board Manual – streamlined and standardized the bylaws, developed a board manual, formalized audit review process