ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The Agribition Center staff were honored by the Master Gardeners of North Alabama (MGNA) during their 2024 award ceremony. Agribition Center Assistant Manager Donna Gilbert, and her staff, Eric Nobles and Tim Smith, were named Friends of MGNA.

“You are indeed friends of Alabama master gardeners,” Anita Reeves of MGNA said. “We so appreciate the warm reception we’ve had from the folks at the Agribition Center and being able to use the ample, covered space of the arena for our plant sales.”

The decision to honor the Agribition Center staff was an easy choice for the awards committee, co-chair Helen Carr said.

“The Agribition Center with its manager, Donna Gilbert, and personnel, Eric Nobles and Tim Smith graciously give of their time and the use of facility space to accommodate participants in our Design Your Home Landscape,” Carr said. “Also, they assisted us in holding our main fundraiser — the annual Spring Plant Sale that supports community programs. They supported us above all others this year.”

These sentiments were also echoed by Karen Kirk-Williams, coordinator of the Design Your Home Landscape course.

“We are very fortunate to have Donna and her team and this facility available for our Extension outreach activities,” Kirk-Williams said.

About Master Gardeners

The Master Gardener program originated in Seattle, Washington in 1972. MGNA Member Mary Lou McNabb introduced the program in Huntsville, Alabama in 1981. McNabb collaborated with County Extension Agent Gary Murray and two professors from Alabama A&M University, Caula Beyl and Govid Sharma, to establish the first Alabama Master Gardener training program in North Alabama. Learn more about the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program and find an upcoming event near you by visiting the Master Gardener webpage.

To get involved with MGNA, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

About the Agribition Center

Alabama A&M University’s Agribition Center is managed by Alabama Extension staff. This multipurpose facility is suitable for meetings, workshops, exhibitions and spectator events like rodeos, dog shows and other community activities.

Visit the Agribition Center’s webpage or contact Gilbert at 256-689-0274.