Can you believe it? The Master Gardeners of Davidson County are turning 40! For four decades, our members have been digging deep, sharing knowledge, cultivating beautiful spaces, and growing a vibrant community. To celebrate this incredible milestone, we are hosting a very special celebration, and you are officially invited to come home.

Mark your calendars, dust off your favorite gardening shoes, and get ready for a morning of fellowship, food, and fun!

Mark Your Calendars!

• Date: Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Location: Edward Jones Auditorium, Ellington Agricultural Center
• Theme: Rooted in Community: A 40th Anniversary Homecoming

What’s in Store for the Celebration?

Our planning teams have been busy working behind the scenes to put together an unforgettable morning. Here is a sneak peek at what we have planned:

The Loveless Cafe Food Truck & Anniversary Cake!

We are thrilled to announce that the legendary Loveless Cafe Food Truck will be rolling in right at 8:30 AM! Attendees will be able to purchase delicious breakfast and brunch favorites directly from the truck to enjoy during our reception. Following food truck refreshments, join us as we gather around for a special cake-cutting ceremony featuring a beautiful anniversary cake to satisfy your sweet tooth.

A Living Legacy: The Arboretum Christening

In honor of 40 years of service, we will be holding a special tree dedication ceremony at the Arboretum. Led by Paul Prill, we will be planting and christening a Bladdernut Tree. We want every single member to leave their mark on this living legacy: when you arrive, stop by our messaging station to write your dreams and hopes for MGofDC’s next 40 years on a card made of special bird-seed-infused paper. We will tie these notes of hope to the tree, allowing nature to carry our collective wishes forward into the future.

Cash in Your Hard Work at the Live Auction!

It’s time to cash in on those volunteer hours and CEUs! We will be hosting a thrilling Live Auction powered entirely by "Funny Money."

• Every Volunteer Hour you've logged earns you $5 in Funny Money!
• Every CEU earned gets you $3 in Funny Money!

Your custom "Funny Money" stash will be waiting for you right at the registration desk when you check in. Lead volunteer Gianna Bielenda and her team have already begun securing fantastic, brand-new gardening tools, beautiful plants, trees, pots, and floral arrangements. Get ready to raise your bidding cards and take home some amazing garden loot!

(Note: If you have a favorite local vendor, restaurant, or doctor you’d like to solicit a donation from, please text Fay Binning at 828-963-0056 first to make sure we don't double up!)

Walk the Red Carpet & Reconnect

Take a walk down memory lane with a rolling digital slideshow highlighting 40 years of Davidson County Master Gardener history. We will also have a formal Award Recognition Ceremony to pass out certificates honoring our lifetime members and "lifers" who have given decades of service. Roaming photographer Tobias Brown will be capturing memories throughout the morning, and we’ll have a professional RovoBooth Photo Booth on site so you can take home fun mementos with your fellow MGs!

The MGofDC 40th Anniversary Cookbook!

What is a community homecoming without a shared table? Led by Susanna and Brenda, our Cookbook Team is busy putting the finishing touches on a commemorative MGofDC Cookbook using the Heritage Cookbook platform. More than just a collection of delicious recipes and stories, it will feature an opening introduction on our organization’s rich 40-year history compiled by Donna Jo.

While we are planning to print a limited physical run (around 30–40 copies), we will also be offering a digital copy version for those who prefer it! Keep your eyes peeled for an order form on our website and a Sign-Up Genius pre-order link coming soon. You'll be able to view visuals of the cookbook at the October 3rd celebration and even pick up your pre-ordered copies right at the event!

How You Can Help This Month (July Checklist):

1. Send Us Your Photos! Jen Zimmerer and the Program Team are assembling our 40th Anniversary slideshow. Please look through your old hard drives and photo albums for vintage MGofDC photos and email them in!
2. Watch for the Invite: Keep an eye on your inbox later this month. An official E-blast invitation and Sign-Up Genius RSVP link will be hitting your email soon so we can secure an accurate attendance count for the cake and seating layout.
3. Log Your Hours: Make sure all of your recent volunteer hours and CEUs are completely up to date in the system so your "Funny Money" envelope is packed to the brim!

We can't wait to see faces past and present come together to celebrate being Rooted in Community. See you on October 3rd!