Brevard County Receives the 2022 Legacy Award
The Master Gardener Legacy Fund was created to provide financial support for outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer projects.
Every year, counties apply to the Florida Master Gardener Legacy Fund in hopes that they will win funding. This year, the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Master Gardener Volunteer program won the award for their Brevard Discovery Garden signage.
Located in Cocoa, the Discovery Gardens have eight sections: for pollinators, herbs, bromeliads, orchards, Florida natives, coastal plants, rain garden and swales, and royal poincianas with shade plants. At first, this garden was only available to visitors during the semi-annual Master Gardener Volunteer plant sales, but now it will be open to the public twice a month! Unfortunately, many of the plants still don't have labels and there simply aren't enough volunteers available for the number of plant questions visitors ask.
The Brevard MGV team plans to develop signs for the garden to ensure an educational experience for their visitors. There would be signs in every garden section, with the plant name, graphics, and monthly and seasonal details. To reduce the cost, the team plans to make the signs themselves with Makerspace, a subscription service that allows users access to laser cutting and engraving equipment. In fact, they're so enthusiastic about the product, they suggest it could be a useful tool for all Master Gardener Volunteers.
Their excellent funding proposal has earned them the 2022 Legacy Award. With the addition of this funding, the Brevard County Master Gardener Volunteers will have an effective demonstration garden and a great model for other MGV gardens in Florida.
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