Contributed by: Richard H. Neill The Purple Diamonds Red Hat Society visited the Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center (PMC). Pictured are the ladies touring one of the greenhouse facilities. Garret Thomassie is explaining the plants with which the center has been working since 1988. Located on Airport Road in Galliano, the Plant Materials Center is part of the U.S Department of Agriculture/ Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Program. The Plant Materials Program is dedicated to identifying plants important to local conservation needs, and has released a number of superior strains of plants for marsh and sand dune stabilization and restoration. The Red Hat Society’s visit was a treat to the staff of the PMC because the scientists and technicians are local and there was a lot of “catching up” to do about families. During their visit the ladies of the Red Hat Society learned the soil conservation mission of the Plant Materials Center, toured the facilities and generally had a good time The Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center welcomes civic groups, and schools to visit the facility to learn more about our ecological restoration efforts. We can be reached at 985-475-5280.