the tennessee valley chapter of wild ones is a garden club of sorts. whitfield, catoosa, walker and dade counties are close enough to benefit from their meetings and educational programs :) they have partnered w/ reflection riding to offer a certificate in native plants. i've included the link :) Here is a link that might be useful: chattanooga nature center certificate in native plants

Annette, Yes, it was one of the best gatherings we have had with a few over 90 serious heirloom growers. There were folks from NY,VA,TN,SC,OH,IN,GA,KY,NC.MI. Yes, several took pictures. I will try to post a link for one if I can find it. Some of our local folks took food and it was like feeding the multitudes! Food was enjoyed by all. I made six quarts of Salsa. In addition there were finger sandwiches, Salads, Baked goods of cake and pie, and other good eats. Folks who traveled long distance had spent the night before, some stayed over two nights. Looking forward to another great gathering next October! Gary

cyberblue-- To post pics, get a free account at photobucket.com; upload your photos there (directions are easy to follow); then click on the "HTML TAG" underneath the pic and save it; last, paste it in the GW message box. You can type messages above and below the pic, and can view the pic when you click "preview." Kate

I think you overreacted a bit about this one. I understand that you were twitchy after the compost article fiasco, but on this one, you were a bit too sensitive about the editors comments. Whenever a writer is writing for publication they are at the mercy of an editor, and sometimes this is a good thing. The editors loyalty and interest lies with the publication and the people who support that publication, so sometimes they make decisions that writers dont agree with. I have had articles published that were barely touched during the editing process and those that were entirely rewritten. That is just the name of the game, and if I am to have any peace of mind while selling (or donating!) written work, I must accept it. It was reasonable for the editors to want seasonally appropriate material for the article; the gardening public usually does not remember unfamiliar details, so the clover information would, in all likelihood, be long forgotten by next fall. And if they want a consistent tone in Master Gardener publications that is their prerogative. In some ways it makes sense because the public often feels most comfortable with a uniform style coming from one organization. In someway, Eddie, such "heavy handed" editing protects you, the author. In our litigious society it is not unheard of for someone to sue if they take advice and something untoward happens. The material the extension publishes is approved by extension agents, so they are the responsible party should someone decide his or her plants died because of your recommendations. Its sad that we have to consider these things, but we do. It sounds to me like you really dont care to write for this MG group right now, and if thats the case, you dont need to fight in order to separate.just tell them that you need a break. If thats not how youre feeling, ask the editorial board what subjects need to be filled for summer publications and start working on one. You have a great deal of knowledge to share, and you do it with such personality that its fun for the readerit may just not always be a good fit with every publication. Post your piece on your blog, and move on to the next.