Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Cleveland County, Dee Stroup,
Lynn Byrd and Lloyd Quinn demonstrated proper tree planting
technique to approximately 30 members and guests of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority Inc® Omega Sigma Omega Chapter, on April 27, 2023.

A pink dogwood was planted in celebration of Earth and Arbor Days.
The mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc® is to plant 3,100 trees
yearly as a commitment to the organization's "Enhancing Our
Environment" initiative. Discussions will be underway soon to determine how the Extension Master Gardener℠ Program can continue to partner with Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority Inc® Omega Sigma Omega Chapter in this endeavor.

The event was also a tribute to the memory of the late Linda Heckstall
Hooker, a long-time member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc®
Omega Sigma Omega Chapter sisterhood.  Fittingly, the tree was
planted on the campus of the Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library,
where Mrs. Hooker worked for 35 years.  Members of the Hooker family
and library staff were in attendance.

For more information about the Extension Master Gardener℠ Program of Cleveland County, contact Extension Consumer Horticulture Agent Julie Flowers.  Deadline to enroll for the next  Master Gardener School is August 4, 2023.