Master Gardeners Claudia Cannon and Bob Burtwell at Cyesis

Three years ago, Master Gardener Claudia Cannon visited Cyesis and realized how nurturing a garden would be for the toddlers being cared for while their teenage parents are in classes.  What she didn’t realize was how the whole campus, including all the parents, teachers and volunteers, would come to embrace the garden.  Since then, that one small garden has increased fourfold and several other gardens have been added. 

Along the way, Claudia recruited Master Gardener Bob Burtwell and his irrigation expertise.  He has installed micro-irrigation in all the gardens as well as built trellises and other supports for plants in the gardens.  In April 2007, the week of the young child was observed at Cyesis and a special award was given to Claudia and Bob for all their time and effort spent at Cyesis. 

Every day “Mommy and Me” is part of the curriculum; a time when parents and their toddlers go in the garden to grow flowers and vegetables or do a horticulture-related activity or learn about nutritional eating in the classroom.  This is a bonding time for moms and their children in a healthy natural environment. 

News about the success of their gardening program has spread throughout the county.  In cooperation with All Faiths Food Bank as part of the Healthy Kids Program, they gave a workshop to preschool teachers in the area on how to duplicate their program.  Claudia made a presentation before the North American Council for the Education of Young Children last month.  Next month she is making a similar presentation at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. 

If this weren't enough, these two Master Gardeners also work at other venues including Laurel Nokomis School, Satellite Service Help Desks, Florida House Learning Center, etc.  For Claudia and Bob who donated over 1000 hours and 900 hours respectively in 2007, this is truly a labor of love. 

These two people have taken a bleak campus of brick buildings and portables and turned it into an oasis of vegetation full of edibles and flowers.  It has become the place these parents and their children look forward to coming to, to learn, work, harvest, and discover the wonders of nature.

 

Horticulture Timely Topics

 

Sarasota County Master Gardeners 3rd Annual Plant Sale

WHEN: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2007
9:00 AM — 3:00 PM
WHERE: BEE RIDGE PARK, SARASOTA
(Corner of Wilkinson Rd & S Lockwood Ridge Rd)

• Florida Native Plants; Varieties of Edibles, Trees, Succulents, Ferns, Vines, & More!
• Florida Friendly Plants from the Florida House Landscape
• Information on Planting Florida Friendly Yards & Gardens
• Master Gardeners On-Site to Help With Your Gardening Questions
• Refreshments Available

Native Plant Sale - October 5 - 7, 2007

The Florida Native Plant Society and Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program presents a Native Plant Sale.

Friday, October 5th, 8am to 5pm

Saturday, October 6th, 8am to 5pm

Sunday, October 7th, 10am to 3pm

A large selection of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and blooming wildflowers for use in all garden types.

The sale will be held at:

Tropiflora
3530 Tallevast Road
Sarasota, Florida 34243

 

For more information call (941) 794-8773

Sponsored by the Sarasota Herald Tribune