Seven members of the Louisa County Master Gardeners volunteered their time to landscape the new Youth Center at the Louisa County fairgrounds on Saturday, June 9. Jennifer Hoopes, Perry Fletcher, Bill Barrick, Joyce Gipple, Karen Yakle, Mary Brown and Woody Ross planted on Saturday, Jim Everett had helped get the beds ready. The plants came from Barnyard Blooms in Grandview. Owner Nicole Hoben also advised the groups regarding plant selection and placement. There are three themed beds-a woodland garden, a butterfly garden and a scents garden.The dedication of the Youth Center is planned for 4:30 on July 11. All donors, volunteers and the general public are invited.

Photo: Louisa County Master Gardeners Mary Brown, Joyce Gipple, Bill Barrick, Karen Yakle and Woody Ross at the Youth Center

Flower Bucket Contest

When you plant your vegetable and flower gardens this spring take time to create a bucket garden for the fair as well. The Louisa County Master Gardeners are again sponsoring a flower bucket contest to challenge home gardeners and to provide attractive and interesting temporary landscaping during the fair in July. Plants must be growing and a five gallon bucket which can be decorated. The classes for the contest are edible garden, red, white and blue with flowering plants, all foliage plants, no flowering, mixed - any plants allowed, most unique - any plants allowed, youth - any plants allowed and the 2013 Fair Theme – Memories, Music and Magic. Contest details are included in the fair book.

Louisa County Fair Queen

The 2012 Louisa County Fair Queen is Delaney Howell who will represent her county at the Iowa State Fair. First runner up was Tiffany Cook and second runner up was Bay Boysen. Delaney was selected Miss Personality by the other contestants and the judges chose Emma Kreiger as Miss Leadership. The Fair Princess is 4 year old Kennedy Rife. The 2012 Louisa County Fair 4H queen is Samantha Jamison and the King is Alex Mincer.