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The Plateau Discovery Gardens An open letter to our friends ... The Cumberland County Master Gardener Association was pleased to publicly open the Plateau Discovery Gardens this past summer after 6 years of planning, planting and growth. This three-acre demonstration garden presently includes examples of plots (including trees, shrubs, conifers, sun perennials, bulbs, and turf) designed to educate community members of the unique gardening opportunities and challenges of the Cumberland Plateau. In addition, garden visitors have the opportunity to witness ornamental plant research trials under the supervision of the UT Research Plant Science Department. Research trials currently underway within the Plateau Discovery Gardens include azalea, crape myrtle, gardenia, hydrangea, loropetalum, ornamental switch grass, and redbud. We also anticipate the addition of one garden theme annually. The purpose of this letter is to notify you of a sponsorship opportunity through the Plateau Discovery Gardens. Up until now, monies for the Plateau Discovery Gardens have been allocated from Cumberland County Master Gardener Association fundraising efforts. Now that the gardens have been well-received by the public, the Cumberland County Master Gardener Association will be accepting donations to assist with the ongoing care and continued growth of the gardens. As such, a tax-deductible account has been developed within The University of Tennessee-Institute of Agriculture. So what is YOUR benefit when donating to this demonstration garden? All sponsorships postmarked no later than December 31, 2010 will be listed on our annual 2011 garden brochure. Sponsors of the gardens will also be acknowledged at the 2010 Fall Gardeners’ Festival (scheduled for August 31, 2010). In addition, donations of $150 will be acknowledged with a plaque attached to a 40” cement bench (located within the established gardens) FOR A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, and donations of $250 will be acknowledged with a plaque attached to a 70” cement bench (within the outdoor classroom area) FOR A FIVE YEAR PERIOD. Before donating to this exciting project, the Cumberland County Master Gardener Association, in conjunction with the UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, and the UT Extension Office of Cumberland County, invite you to visit the Plateau Discovery Gardens. For a guided tour of existing gardens, additional information, or questions regarding other sponsorship opportunities, please contact me at the numbers listed below. You may also wish to contact Walt Hitch, Superintendent of the UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center (484-0034, jhitch@utk.edu), or W. Gregg Upchurch, (484-6743, wupchurch@utk.edu) UT Extension Agent overseeing the Cumberland County Master Gardener Association. Donations to the Plateau Ornamental Research and Discovery Garden Fund should be attached to the completed pledge form and forwarded to: UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center On behalf of the Cumberland County Master Gardener Association and the Plateau Discovery Gardens, I thank you for your financial consideration to our project. Sincerely, Nancy L. Christopherson Click here for the pledge form and thank you for your support |