The Nora Lancaster Garden Club met March 19 in the Barbara Rose Johns Library. Nicole Shuman, Community Food Systems agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, was the guest speaker. She explained biointensive gardening and the preparation and purpose of compost. Using a Powerpoint presentation, Shuman explained the steps of preparing a compost bin, the waste material suitable for composting, the care of the bin, ways compost can be used in biointensive gardens and the benefits of using natural fertilizer as opposed to chemical ones. Hostesses were Lazelle Jackson and Frankie Sandford. Pictured are, from left, Jackson, Shuman and Sandford. Members winning ribbons for their artistic arrangements entitled “In the Garden” were Helen Smith and Becky Kelly (blue); Vicki Morris, Dr. Barbara Smith and Helen Smith (red). Horticulture winners were Dr. Barbara Smith (5) and Kelly (3) (blue) and Dr. Barbara Smith and Kelly (red).