Monday September 20 was a gloomy, rainy day in a series of similar days in North Georgia. But gardeners know how to have fun no matter what, so six Master Gardeners—Lee Boutwell, Susan Krueger, Barbara Patterson, Cissy Belson, Nannette O'Hara, and Janet Martin--and two Extension agents—Steven Patrick and Nathan Eason--made the scheduled field trip to the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center near Blairsville.
In one of the oldest buildings on the site, formerly a cannery, we were met by several volunteers and a Center employee, who recounted the history of the facility, which dates back to 1930. It began as a depression-era Federal government program to help stimulate rural communities through agricultural research and other services and has continued to serve that mission up until the present.
Following that introduction, two volunteers led a tour through the ethnobotanic garden, which features hundreds of plants that native Americans and early white settlers and their decendants used to treat various illnesses and injuries and to maintain health. Signs throughout the garden identify the plants and explain their purported medicinal properties and other uses, but our guides offered additional information and interesting anecdotes.
After exploring some other areas of the site, we had lunch in a conference room of the administration building, then took the bus to observe some experimental apple orchards and vineyards on the grounds and were awed by an impresssive view of the distant mountains.
The Center is open to visitors from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday, with or without appointment.
We thank Nathan for arranging the event and Steven for driving the bus.
