I vividly recall walking into my GGMG training class in 2007. I had lived in Greenville for just five months and didn't know a soul taking the course. A neighbor who had recently graduated recommended it to me and was so enthusiastic, I knew it was for me. My instructor was Karen LaFleur-Stewart and many guest lecturers were accomplished MGs. I was awestruck by their knowledge and remember thinking that I would love to be a “worker bee” in this group. I made a few fast friends and started volunteering.

What I’ve found since then is that while we have varied knowledge on gardening, we can all pitch in to make our organization great. The passion that this group generates when a task is at hand is inspiring. Whether answering phones in the Extension Office, putting together a spectacular symposium, leading a tour in a garden or selling thousands of plants to put our annual budget in the black, GGMGs know how to work together.

I would like to challenge you this year to keep your passion for GGMG alive! Think back to what made you sign up to become an MG. Call someone you haven't seen in awhile and invite them to something. How about July’s Tomato Tasting? We have so many opportunities and a wonderful extension agent, Cory Tanner, to guide us! I know we can get busy, but luckily we have varied ways to participate: night and day programs, multiple gardens to volunteer in, the symposium, Plant Sale, Office volunteering, Junior MG program, Speakers Bureau, field trips; the list goes on and on. Please consider joining us for as many activities as you can.

Communication is key to a group as large as ours, and we have many ways to keep you informed. A calendar is distributed by e-mail every other week. Our web page has current information and recent photos of MG events. We have a great e-newsletter full of gardening topics that keeps us in the know. And most recently, we have added a Facebook page. The Executive Committee meets almost every month; please contact one of us if you would like to share your thoughts or ideas.

Thinking back to 2007 as I was walking into the unknown, I am so thankful that I made the choice to be an MG. I count many of you as gardening buddies for life. I look forward to knowing more of you and want to thank you for your service. Our mission is to teach and educate within our community. Together we can accomplish great things. I hope to see you at the Tomato Tasting and in September at our kickoff picnic. Stay tuned for details!

                                          – Anita Humphries