Chris Smith, seed saver and communications manager of Sow True Seed in Asheville, will be the guest speaker at the Foothills Association of Master Gardeners’ Lecture Series on May 1 at 1:30 p.m.  The presentation will be at the Polk County Extension Office at 79 Carmel Lane in Columbus (behind the Senior Center on Skyuka Road).  It’s open to the public, free of charge, and no reservation is required.

Okra is a misunderstood plant, often shunned for its “sliminess,” but this beautiful, productive, nutritious and tasty crop shouldn’t be written off lightly. The class will explore growing, variety selection, and eating, including okra oil, okra leaf pesto, okra seed coffee and more.

– article submitted by Ann Mazzullo