Be a part of your community

Kelli Rodda

Madisonville, Ken., is the best town on Earth.

At least, that’s the words to a catchy little ditty about the town of nearly 20,000 nestled in the western part of the state.

Madisonville offers more than locals that are pretty good at composing a song and playing acoustic guitar. This southern gem is full of people with community pride.

Madisonville started participating in America in Bloom in 2011. And during the last year and a half, the town has reaped the benefits of landscape projects, community gardens, neighborhood cleanups and downtown beautification. Madisonville was the YouTube video award winner for this year’s AIB contest. (Watch the video and read a list of all the winners at www.americainbloom.org.) Mayor David Jackson is encouraged by the high level of participation from the townspeople.

AIB is an excellent way for growers, independent garden centers and landscape contractors to get involved in the community. There’s nothing like some good old-fashioned friendly competition to get people off their butts and outside digging in the dirt. Jackson credits AIB with giving the town “a framework for everything we accomplish as a community.”

What a great vehicle to help your community learn more about green spaces, the value of trees, landscaping techniques, rain gardens, wildlife habitats – the list is a long one.

Not sure what it’s all about? America in Bloom is a national awards program that helps communities create a better quality of life. A large part of that framework is through plants, but it also includes city cleanup efforts, historical preservation and environmental projects.

AIB encourages participants from towns, villages, cities, townships and counties. And starting in 2013, applications from university campuses, business districts and military installations will be accepted.

Photo Op

Photographers can showcase their talents by participating in the first-ever “Planting Pride Photo Contest: Capturing the Spirit of America in Bloom.” This contest, sponsored by America in Bloom and GIE Media, will showcase efforts to beautify and improve communities. Photos will be categorized into seven criteria: floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental efforts, heritage preservation, overall impression and community involvement.

The contest runs through June 1, 2013 to allow for photographs to represent the changing weather seasons. Public online voting will take place from June 2 to August 31 with winners announced in September 2013 during the America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program in Orlando, Fla.

To submit photos or to learn more about the contest, visit www.AmericaInBloom.org. To enter, visit www.gardencentermagazine.com.

Photo Categories

• Floral Displays
• Landscaped Areas
• Urban Forestry
• Environmental Efforts
• Heritage Preservation
• Overall Impression
• Community Involvement