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TEXAS
MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION
2002 AWARDS PROGRAM
PUBLICATIONS
Small
Counties:
1st Place Hunt County – Newsletter, Blackland
Gardener
The Blackland Gardener targets home gardeners who are associated
with Extension programming and provides them with research based
data in order to increase their gardening knowledge base, thus,
helping them to become more efficient in their gardening endeavors.
Articles cover a wide range of home landscape and gardening topics
that enhances and increases the amount of research based information
available to the public. Because each issue contains a calendar
of events, the clientele is made award of seminars and other gardening
related events that they can attend to further their knowledge.
These objectives have resulted in a stronger, more informed group
of home gardeners in and around the area.
Contact: Sara Allen, (903) 455-9885; e-mail: slallen@ag.tamu.edu
2nd
Place Fannin County – Newsletter, Fannin County
Master Gardeners Newsletter
The Fannin County Master Gardeners Newsletter contains articles
pertinent to the time of the year with helpful information about
landscaping and gardening. It includes a “Kid’s Corner”
with an activity from the Junior Master Gardeners Handbook.
Contact: Georgeann Patterson, (903) 583-7453; e-mail: fanning-tx@tamu.edu
Medium
Counties:
1st Place Potter/Randall Counties – Booklet,
The Gardener’s Language
This publication depicts the necessity of a universal classification
system with an introduction to botanic Latin and a brief history
of plant nomenclature. “The Gardener’s Language”
provides an explanation of the current binomial system, including
identification, classification and it’s pronunciation. Tables
of the most frequently used botanic Latin prefixes and suffixes,
how they are used together and an abbreviated table of descriptive
species are included.
Contact: Kris Richerson, (806) 373-0713; e-mail: l-church@tamu.edu
2nd
Place Hood County – Booklet, Education Through
Sharing
Education Through Sharing is a handbook created by Hood County
Master Gardeners to relate gardening skills to Habitat for Humanity
families. Both English and Spanish versions were produced. This
handbook is a combined effort of Hood County Master Gardeners
and Habitat for Humanity staff. A personalized version with photographs
of each home and plant identifications was presented to the 6
families whose homes were dedicated in 2002. Since that time,
copies of the handbook (without personalization) are available
in the Extension Office to all county residents.
Contact: Karen Bitnar, (817) 579-3280; e-mail: m-vahlenkamp@tamu.edu
3rd
Place Jefferson County – Newsletter, Down to Earth
This publication has been in print since the establishment of
the Jefferson County Master Gardeners. It was the decision of
the Executive Board to relieve the editor that has published this
newsletter for several years and needed relief. Two volunteers
were selected as Co-Editors of the “Down to Earth.”
The aim of the newsletter was to bring it up-to-date using technology.
Since that time the newsletter has a ‘new’ birth.
Color prints, recipes, individual interviews, and hits for the
month, recipes of the month, and educational information concerning
this area, has been printed and enjoyed by the membership. The
sixth edition will come out in February.
Contact: Jenny Neichoy, (409) 835-8461; e-mail: jennyn17@swbell.net
Large
Counties:
1st Place Galveston County – Booklet, Two…Four…Six…Eight…..PROPAGATE!
This wildly popular 18-page publication (9 pages, 2 sides) is
a comprehensive but concise consolidation of plant propagation
knowledge. Drawing on 19 different authoritative sources plus
the considerable propagation experiences of four Master Gardeners,
the publication boils the whole subject down to short ease-to-understand
sections on classic propagation methods, punctuated with highlights,
simple illustrations, and clear charts. The users have found it
an incredibly handy resource, with pertinent information easily
found and easily understood.
Contact: Jim Edwards, (281) 534-3413; e-mail: galv3@wt.net
2nd
Place Fort Bend County– Instruction Sheet, Propagating
Roostock and Grafting Hibiscus
Propagating rootstock and Grafting Hibiscus is an easily duplicated
single page two-sided “how-to” instruction sheet.
Contact: Wayne Rhoden, (281) 341-7068; e-mail: coordinator@fbmg.com
3rd
Place Harris County – Pamphlet, Guide to Tomatoes,
Peppers and Herbs for the Houston Area
As an adjunct to our annual Tomato & Pepper Sale, a pamphlet
was developed which discussed the planting, care, harvest, use
and storage of tomatoes, peppers and herbs. The recommended varieties
for the Houston area which were being offered at the sale were
described and finally some exemplary recipes utilizing the product
were provided.
Contact: O. Scott Hume; (281) 855-5600; e-mail: oshume@ag.tamu.edu
VISUAL
ARTS
Medium
Counties:
1st Place Ellis County – PowerPoint CD,
Pruning
This entry is a PowerPoint presentation on “Pruning and
Pruning Techniques”. It includes pictures, diagrams and
a written narrative for ease of teaching.
Contact: Mary Lou Hollabaugh, (972) 923-5175; e-mail: ellis-tx@tamu.edu
Large
Counties:
1st Place Galveston County – PowerPoint
CD, Vegetable Gardening
“Vegetable Gardening”, using the new technology of
Power Point and digital photography, was requested by Friendswood
School District, Galveston County, in order for students to learn
life sciences using gardening they can do themselves. Vegetables
can be grown year-round in Galveston County, but the soil and
climate present challenges. The program is a clear and easy instruction
on the preparation of vegetable beds and the cultivation of plants
afterward.
Contact: Jim Edwards, (281) 534-3413; e-mail: galv3@wt.net
2nd
Place Fort Bend County – PowerPoint CD, Grafting
with the Fort Bend Master Gardeners
“Grafting with the Fort Bend Master Gardeners “ is
a versatile Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95 presentation.
It is compatible with later software versions. The program is
easily adaptable for use in classroom training, general interest
programs, or individual learning. In 2002 it was used for training
both Spring and Fall Associate classes with some 120 students.
It was also used in a joint training session on grafting for visiting
Master Gardeners from Brazoria and Galveston Counties. It was
used in training 80 attendees to a grafting clinic offered to
the public in April, 2002. A number of Master Gardeners (and others)
have reviewed the slides and notes as individual instruction grafting.
Contact: Wayne Rhoden, (281) 341-7086; e-mail: coordinator@fbmg.com
3rd
Place Bell County – Overhead Slide Presentation,
Lawn Care
Overhead Slide presentation that provides detailed information
on the care of turf grass. This presentation covers selecting
the right type of grass, proper mowing and watering techniques,
fertilizing, cultivation tips, common pest and disease identification
and control, concluding with weed control. Presentation provides
a narrative as well as slides designed for overhead projection,
a note-taking outline with references, and handouts that are passed
around to the audience during the presentation to provide visual
reinforcement of the material being presented. Class emphasizes
a resource and environment friendly approach to obtaining a healthy,
beautiful lawn in Central Texas.
Contact: Ilene Miller, (254) 933-5312; e-mail: NL7VY@hot.rr.com
MULTIMEDIA
Medium
Counties:
1st Place Potter/Randall Counties – Video,
Southwest Yard and Garden #203
“Southwest Yard and Garden” is a television series
on PBS; #203 aired in September 2002 and was the “lead-off”
program for the season. 3 Amarillo gardens were featured on the
program allowing Master Gardeners the opportunity to impart valuable
information about gardening in the Texas Panhandle.
Contact: Kris Richerson, (806) 373-0713; e-mail: l-church@tamu.edu
2nd
Place Hood County – Newspaper Column, Garden Patch
“Garden Patch” is a regular feature column presented
by the Hood County Master Gardeners (HCMG) and published in the
local newspaper, Hood County News. “Garden Patch”
is written and edited in its entirety by Master Gardener Phyllis
Webster with input from fellow MGs and under the supervision of
the HCMG executive committee and the County Extension Agent. Content
is determined by public interest, Extension Service/Master Gardener
goals & objectives, surveys and horticultural trends. The
phone number to the Extension Office is published with each column.
Master Gardeners field the questions. In 2002, column space was
extended, a large “Horticulture” masthead was used,
color photos were added, resource information was included and
a total of 37 original columns were published.
Contact: Phyllis Webster, (817) 579-3280; e-mail: m-vahlenkamp@tamu.edu
Large
Counties
1st Place Galveston County – Newspaper
Series, Master Gardeners Grow a Culture of Service and Figs, Pear,
& Okra
“Master Gardeners Grow Culture of Service” in a USA
TODAY; This article promotes Master Gardeners as a model for volunteer
organizations nationwide. It discusses the beginnings of MGs,
describes how MGs are recruited and organized, and highlights
MGs’ commitment to community service. Even President Bush
used MG advisers when he bought his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
The three other entries – “Figs”, “Pears”,
and “Okra” – educate the local Galveston County
and Gulf Coast community on the specific history, cultivation,
and use of these abundant and popular food crops.
Contact: Jim Edwards, (281) 534-3413; e-mail: galv3@wt.net
2nd
Place Fort Bend County – Video, Great American
Pastimes
The Multimedia production (MMP) we have nominated is used in our
program as an educational, motivational and membership building
utility. In addition it was viewed by the public on Stafford Municipal
Educational Television. Our gardens, our membership, our goals
and our education opportunities are all described in our Multimedia
Production. It can easily be viewed by both our membership and
the citizens of Fort Bend County by checking it out of the Fort
Bend Master Gardener Library.
Contact: Wayne Rhoden, (281) 342-3042; e-mail: coordinator@fbmg.com
3rd
Place Harris County – eDirt
EDirt is the electronic version of “Urban Dirt”, the
Harris County Master Gardener Newsletter. EDirt is created each
month, by “Urban Dirt” editor and Master Gardener
Tami Pipkin as a .pdf file. Its appearance is identical to “Urban
Dirt” but is superior to in that it is in color, features
active email links, web links and table of contents links. It
is also available much sooner than “Urban Dirt” which
must be printed, collated, labeled and mailed. The Harris County
Master Gardeners Association has been able to reduced mailing
costs by half and deliver the newsletter to the membership much
faster. Approximately one half of the 1000+ member mailing list
receives their newsletter via email.
Contact: Carol S. Cammack, (281) 855-5600; e-mail: c-cammack@tamu.edu
PROGRAMS, PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES
Small
Counties
1st Place El Paso County – Program, Kids
& Kows & More Expo 2002
The “Kids & Kows & More Expo” gives children
from the seven school districts in El Paso County an opportunity
to explore where their food comes from. Exhibitors set up booths
and have volunteers from their programs teach the children through
a hands-on experience. The Master Gardener exhibit introduces
teachers and students to the many aspects of the gardening experience.
Our 2002exhibit explored the world of insects, both good and bad.
These insects can be found in El Paso area gardens, orchards,
and fields. Seven insect models were designed and created by Master
Gardener volunteers for the event. For each insect model displayed,
Master Gardener volunteers presented a life cycle story to the
children. A table display of real insects was also available to
provide the students with an opportunity to see what the true
insects looked like.
Contact: Connie Walsh, (915) 859-7725; e-mail: drichards@ag.tamu.edu
2nd
Place Fannin County – Project, Bonham Heritage
District Tree Planting Project
The Fannin County Master Gardeners joined with the Bonham Economic
Development Corporation (BEDCO) to beautify the Heritage District
of Bonham by planting 137 large (30 gallons and larger) trees
in the District. The Fannin County Master Gardeners helped with
the selection of tree variety and placement. They also assisted
with the planting, ensuring that the trees were plac3ed at the
right depth and that environmental factors (Latent soil moisture,
etc.) were addressed.
Contact: Richard Danner, (903) 583-7453; e-mail: fanning-tx@tamu.edu
3rd
Place Kleberg/Kenedy Counties – Project, Kenedy
Park Project Phase II
Description of Project: Kenedy Park Demonstration Garden, bounded
by city streets and alleys, encompasses 1.37 acres. In Phase I,
the park was set up with butterfly and hummingbird demonstration
plant areas, a succulent children’s garden, an herb garden
and 10 raised beds, along with a storage shed, wildflower beds,
a compost bin, and a mulch pile. In Phase II, Master Gardeners
have added a walking tour, a pond, a serenity garden, an “English”
garden, a sunflower patch, a pumpkin patch, have sold vegetables
from raised beds at local Sellers Market, had semi-annual tree
and plant sales, participated in the city’s Old Fashioned
July 4th, and worked on Kingsville Convention and Visitor’s
Center Business Landscape Project.
Contact: Anse Windham, (361) 595-8566; e-mail: kleberg-tx@tamu.edu
Honorable
Mention Aransas/San Patricio Counties – Project,
Children’s Discovery Garden
The Children’s Discover Garden (CDG) is a hands-on learning
center aimed at children of all ages. Its purpose is to foster
an interest in gardening, plant science, and environmental responsibility.
Plants and interactive exhibits are unique features of the CDG.
The garden contains many gardens to arouse a child’s interest
in gardening. Upon entering the garden, there is the Freedom Garden
that displays colors of red, white, and blue. The Freedom Garden
honors our country, our armed service personnel, and the 9-11
victims and their families. The compass rose, which is embedded
in the sidewalk, provides awareness of direction and an appreciation
of masaic art. The Granny’s Garden’s farm-like setting
includes a child’s miniature house. There are the Native
American Garden, Oriental Garden, and South of the Border Garden.
The large teaching pavilion can accommodate two classrooms of
children and has electrical outlets for speakers to use microphones.
The Bug Zone, a Coastal Bend Wetlands, an ABC Garden and a Texas
Garden are also for a child’s learning. The middle of the
garden contains the Butterfly Garden, a Maze and Hopscotch.
Contact: Logan Respess, (361) 790-0103; e-mail: l-respess@tamu.edu
Medium
Counties:
1st Place Denton County - Project, Bayless-Selby
House Garden
The DCMGA members are creating an authentic Victorian Landscape
Garden around the historic Bayless-Selby House in downtown Denton.
The house was built in 1899 and was donated to the Denton County
Historical Commission in 1998. It is being restored and will be
the centerpiece of a planned historic County Park. The Commission
invited the DCMGA to take on the responsibility of creating the
landscape around the house. Before any planting was to be done,
research was needed to determine what plants were around the house
in the early 1900’s. The research was done; a plant list
was compiled, and a landscape design completed. Planting began
in the late spring of ’02. The gardens are a great addition
to the house, and provide a great educational experience for the
public to see what a family garden looked like at the trun of
the 20th century.
Contact: Carolyn Gold, (940) 565-2882; e-mail: jn-cooper@tamu.edu
2nd
Place Victoria County – Project, Victoria Educational
Gardens, Phase II
Victoria Educational Gardens (VEG) is an intricately-planned complex
of mini-gardens designed to educate the community, both children
and adults, on proper gardening techniques, water conservation,
composting and other related gardening skills in hands-on, handicap
accessible environment, all the while enhancing the property located
adjacent to the 4-H Activity Center at Victoria Regional Airport.
Site selection resulted in a signed agreement with the Victoria
County Airport Commissioners for long-term (2000-2010) use of
the property. Garden plans were developed and fundraising began
in 2001 with physical work beginning in 2002. VEG is planned in
six phases and extends over a five-year period. The completed
first phase of VEG contains a children’s garden including
butterfly, birding, Texas native and sensory areas; a vegetable
garden including beds accessible for the handicapped; storage
facilities; a compost area and a greenhouse.
Contact: Barbara Sparkman, (361) 575-4581
3rd
Place Hood County - Project, JMG Life Skills Class
Our project was to expand the Life Skills Junior Master Gardener
Program at Granbury High School. The project was conceived as
an opportunity to teach principles and skills that can be used
for personal gardening and as occupational therapy for students
with below normal abilities. We met these mentally and/or physically
handicapped students weekly to apply and modify JMG concepts to
their abilities.
Contact: Jane McConal, (817) 579-3280; e-mail: m-vahlenkamp@tamu.edu
Large
Counties:
1st Place Bell County – Project, Agricultural
Awareness Day
Bell County Agriculture Awareness has been designed for 4th grade
students in Bell County. For each group of students from urban
school districts, the activity lasts for ½ day. Students
rotate through booths/stations that include information and hands-on
activities. The stations have been selected to represent agriculture
indicative of Bell County. The object for each station is to provide
information and activities that will help students understand
the importance of agriculture in their lives. This project is
in its 5th year with approximately 2500 students involved each
year for a total of 12,000 youth in active learning experiences
about food, fiber and agriculture.
Contact: Ilene Miller, (254) 933-5305
2nd
Place Harris County – Project, Water Smart Gardening
The Water Smart Gardening Project is a multi-year effort focused
on community outreach to gardeners of all ages in southeast Harris
County and the areas bordering it. This project is directed at
bringing practical advice, demonstration, education materials,
and resources to the community so that they may use environmentally
friendly techniques in their personal and professional gardening
endeavors. The project provides a one acre (with plans for expansion
to 2 acres) demonstration garden with “water smart”
plants, low volume irrigation, organic gardening practices, and
proper plant placement to minimize the impact of Harris County’s
widely varying rainfall levels. Additionally, the project provides
education throughout the year on water smart gardening techniques
and is a partner in the yearly Water Smart Gardening Workshop
(www.watersmart.cc) at the University of Houston – Clear
Lake. The project sponsors three plant sales each year to provide
local gardeners access to water smart plants for this particular
area, consultations on plant placement and care, and seminars
by leaders in the area of water smart gardening.
Contact: Janice D. Patrick, (281) 855-5600; e-mail: c-cammack@tamu.edu
3rd
Place Montgomery County – Project, Partnership
with Habitat for Humanity
The Montgomery County Master Gardeners Association (MCMGA) has
joined in partnership with Habitat for Humanity to provide landscapes
for low income housing in Montgomery County. The Program includes
consultation with the new homeowners to determine the needs and
wants, the actual installation of the landscape, and homeowner
education and follow-up assistance.
Contact: Judy Evans, (936) 539-7824; e-mail: t-leroy@tamu.edu
INDIVIDUAL
MASTER GARDENER
Small
Counties:
1st Place Kenedy/Kleberg Counties – Clara
Mae Marcotte
The F150 black pickup truck is always on the move, and so is Clara
Mae Marcotte. On any given day, the truck bed will be filled with
donated decorative stone, gravel, used pallets, or young mulberry
bushes, all on their way to the Kenedy Demonstration Garden. Clara
Mae feels the same excitement and tenderness toward this city
park as she does toward her own backyard. She is a dedicated Master
Gardener who shares her knowledge with the entire community through
her work at the Demonstration Garden, with native species plant
sales, and by her many public speaking engagements on gardening
topics. Her involvement extends into neighboring Nueces County
where she represent the Master Gardeners as a Director of the
Corpus Christi Botanical Garden and at meetings of the Master
Naturalists of the Native Plant Society.
Contact: Anse Windham, (361) 595-8566; e-mail: je-ford@tamu.edu
2nd
Place Aransas/San Patricio Counties – Sharon Watkins
Sharon Watkins has volunteered numerous hours to the Association
since her first appearance at the 1998 Master Gardener Training
Class. When asked to be Chairman of the Children’s Discovery
Garden (CDG), she agreed and went full force to see it completed.
Our Association relieves our Secretary from having to send out
the many “thank-you” and “get well” notes
by appointing an unofficial recording Secretary, who is Sharon.
Contact: Logan Respess, (361) 790-0103; e-mail: l-respess@tamu.edu
3rd
Place Collin County - Nancy Furth
Nancy Furth is the President of the Collin County Master Gardeners
Association. She is a very hard worker that has given much of
herself and her time to further the cause of Texas Cooperative
Extension in Collin County.
Contact: Dawn McNerney, (972) 548-4232; e-mail: lllocket@ag.tamu.edu
Medium
Counties:
1st Place Potter/Randall Counties - Michael Williams
Although Michael Williams hasn’t been a Potter/Randall Master
Gardener for long, his contributions to our association have been
so valuable that, in our eyes, he is the Master Gardener of the
Year. Michael has represented our association at state meetings,
state fairs, and throughout our communities. He has been a motivating
force behind our association since he became a Master Gardener
in 1999. Michael’s dedication, insurmountable passion for
civic involvement, and desire to learn has inspired our membership,
as well as our community to become not only better gardeners,
but better people.
Contact: Barbara Harrington, (806) 373-7946; e-mail: l-church@tamu.edu
2nd
Place Victoria County – Patricia Plowman
The membership of Victoria County Master Gardener Association
submits the name of Patricia Plowman for Texas Master Gardener
of the Year. With her exemplary leadership as President of Victoria
County Master Gardener Association (VCMGA), Pat has had an impact
on the membership with immeasurable proportion. As Chairman of
the ambitions Victoria Educational Gardens (VEG) project, she
was the creative and driving force behind every aspect of the
VEG. She secured the site, researched and drew plans, supervised
and hslped with all aspects of planning, construction, and planting.
This includes the construction of pathways, gazebos, patios, trellises,
storage building and a fishpond. She headed the fundraising efforts
to finance the gardens, including a letter writing campaign, grant
writing, soliciting donations from local businesses and helping
with the organization of VCMGA plant sales. This year alone she
put in over 660 hours of volunteer time.
3rd
Place Denton County – Mary Ellen Richards
Mary Ellen Richards certified as a Master Gardener in 1997. She
immediately began taking a very active role in the Association.
For the first couple of years, Mary Ellen delved into many activities
and projects and became fully acquainted with all aspects of the
operation and activities of the Denton County Master Gardener
Association. In 2000 whe served as First Vice President, in 2001
as President of the Association and in 2002 service as Board Member
and Past President. Through Mary Ellen’s leadership as President,
DCMGA won First Place as the Outstanding Association of Year of
2001.
Large Counties:
1st Place Montgomery County – Carol Ann
Short
The Montgomery County Master Gardener Association Speaker’s
Bureau is one of the avenues utilized to provide quality educational
programs within the community. The association chose Master Gardener,
Carol Ann Short, to design, organize, develop and expand its program.
Under her direction, the bureau reached and educated nearly 10,000
Montgomery County residents in 2002. Carol Ann recruited twenty-five
percent of the Master Gardener Association membership to present
sixty-one different garden related programs to area civic groups,
community centers, garden clubs, organizations, schools, colleges
and libraries. Moreover, she integrated the Speaker’s Bureau
with other Extension Programs such as Better Living for Texans
and 4-H, and with two association partnerships in an effort to
provide a more comprehensive network of services to the community.
Carol Ann’s enthusiasm coupled with her commitment to public
education and enrichment has promoted widespread program recognition
and support in Montgomery County and other areas beyond its perimeters.
Contact: Judy Evans, (936) 539-7824; e-mail: t-leroy@tamu.edu
2nd
Place Galveston County – Herman Auer
Herman Auer is not only an exceptional Certified Master Gardener,
he is an ideal one. As passionate 20-year veteran – yes,
20 years- of the Texas MG Program, Herman’s long-term commitment
has been active, dynamic, and ever growing - never static, never
passive. He contributed 1,176 volunteer hours in 2002 in support
of our Master Gardener program of activities. Herman’s volunteer
impact extends beyond the boundaries of Galveston County. He has
provided educational programs for three neighboring County Extension
Offices and provided programs to civic groups in two adjacent
counties. One characteristic that is much admired and very appreciated
if that Herman, even though he a very active volunteer, thrives
on and encourages team work.
Contact: Jim Edwards, (281) 534-3413; e-mail: ga;v3@wt.net
3rd
Place Big Country Association – Bruce Freeman
Bruce Freeman is a Master Gardener that is dedicated to the values
and objectives of the Texas Master Gardeners. Bruce is a man who
gets things done. Bruce is a man who sees a job needing done and
rolls up his sleeves and goes to work. When help is needed Bruce
doesn’t just come out to help, but is usually early to get
things set up for the rest of us. We recently held our annual
pecan show and contest, Bruce had major surgery on his left shoulder
on Friday. The following Monday, Bruce showed up at the Mall of
Abilene at 6:30 AM to help. When asked why he was there, Bruce
said it was because he had committee to be there. He would up
working a split shift so he could rest and worked 7 hours per
day for the next two days.
Contact: Don Richardson, (915) 672-6048; e-mail: jelaminack@ag.tamu.edu
ASSOCIATION
AWARDS
Small
Counties:
1st Place Howard County
With only 36 current Certified Master Gardeners, they have Managed
to take on and maintain several projects. They also have over
600 students registered in the JUG program (includes six elementary
schools and one 4-H club). They received grant money totaling
$40,000 in 2002, as well.
Contact: Ginger Anderson, (915) 264-2236; e-mail: ganderson@ag.tamu.edu
2nd
Place Collin County
This is a quickly growing Association that has met the challenges
of being without an agent in a county where new residents are
flooding in daily. Their fortitude and positive attitude have
served them well. With the support and friendship of a highly
motivated new agent, this Association looks forward to taking
on increased responsibilities serving Collin County on behalf
of Cooperative Extension in the years to come.
Contact: Nancy Furth, (972) 548-4232; e-mail: lllockett@ag.tamu.edu
3rd
Place Aransas/San Patricio Counties
The Aransas/San Patricio County Master Gardener Association is
a small organization, but one with a very active membership. Our
demonstration gardens, Green Acres, are located at 611 East Mimosa
Street at Pearl Street, Rockport, Texas. Being a semi-retirement
community, we have many members that are always willing to volunteer
their gardening knowledge to the community. We have demonstration
gardens, gardening literature, members that answer telephone call
gardening questions, along with members actually being on the
grounds to answer the community’s gardening questions. Our
association may be small in numbers, but we are very large in
volunteerism.
Contact: Logan Respess, (361) 790-0103; e-mail: l-respess@tamu.edu
Medium
Counties:
1st Place Hood County
Our association enjoys a dedicated, hard-working, intelligent
membership. Thirteen of our forty-fice members volunteer more
that one hundred hours each. Our Extension Agent’s emphasis
is on education. Our membership concentrates on offering horticultural
lectures and demonstrations as often as possible and whenever
asked by our community. We author the “Garden Patch”,
a regularly published feature of the local newspaper. Among our
projects, we demonstrate proper plant selection and care as well
as landscape design in several highly visible locations. Our membership
concerns itself with its own continuing education as well. We
engage qualified speakers as part of our regular business meetings.
We also encourage attendance at state and local seminars. Our
membership accrued more than 600 hours in recertification.
Contact: J. Robbin Brodsky, (817) 579-3280; e-mail: m-vahlenkamp@tamu.edu
2nd
Place Victoria County
Victoria County Master Gardener Association (VCMGA) was incorporated
in 1997 and granted 501©3 status in 2000. Membership consists
of 60 Master Gardeners and 14 Interns. Its mission is to increase
the knowledge of gardening to the public and its members. Among
numerous projects, its major long-term goal is the completion
of the Victoria Educational Gardens (VEG). Establishment of Phase
I, consisting of a children’s and vegetable garden, storage
facilities, composting area and greenhouse, has been VCMGA’s
focus in 2002. VCMGA had a garden symposium and two plant sales,
which netted over $2,500 for VEG. Grants were written and resulted
in $15,000. In addition to school programs and various community
projects, VCMGA approved numerous by-law changes to include and
better utilize members’ talents. VCMGA provided various
opportunities for continuing education for members including workshops,
gardening lectures and garden and farm tours. Several members
also made gardening presentations to local and near communities.
Contact: Barbara Sparkman, (361) 575-4581
3rd
Place Potter/Randall Counties
The association is relatively new, developed in 1994, and has
grown from 25 to 68 members. We have 9 members on a Board of Officers,
and created committees to develop/supervise different areas of
interest: multimedia, activities, projects, programs, visual arts.
Committees are developed on an as needed basis and are topic specific
(not grouped together under the above interests.) Our membership
involvement is strictly voluntary. Members have the option to
choose whatever project, etc. interests them and are encouraged
to develop new ones. Our focus is on education of gardening techniques
in the Texas Panhandle.
Contact: Kris Richardson, (806) 373-0713; e-mail: l-church@tamu.edu
Large
Counties:
1st Place Fort Bend County
In 2002 the Fort Bend Master Gardeners continued to offer a wide
variety of programming - incorporating new Speaker’s Bureau
offerings as well as activities for members, associates and the
public.
The number of volunteer contributed to the community increased
by more than 20% over 2001. We also expanded our community partnerships
as a means to facilitate 2002 operations and as an investment
in developing new programs and activities to be offered in future
years.
Contact: Wayne Rhoden, (281) 341-7086; e-mail: coordinator@fbmg.com
2nd
Place Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Master Gardener Association consists of
210 members with an average of 80% of the active membership ytilizing
Phone Room Volunteers, E-Mail, Postal Service, Newsletter, Websites,
Speaker’s Bureau Programs, Garden Tours, Arts & Crafts
Shows, partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and Plant Sale Lectures,
to communicate with and reach over 25,000 residents in Montgomery
County and adjacent areas.
Contact: Judy Evans, (936) 539-7824; e-mail: t-leroy@tamu.edu
3rd
Place Galveston County
Encourage the new, but cherish the old – This philosophy
describes the Galveston County Master Gardener Association. Our
County Master Gardener program celebrated its 20-year anniversary
in 2002. Our County Master Gardener Association’s efforts
during the year represent the magnificent range, richness, and
variety of activities that a fully mature MG Association can offer
a community. Our heritage of a congenial, hardworking and dedicated
group of volunteers is enduring and cherished.
Contact: Jim Edwards, (281) 534-3413; e-mail: galv3@wt.net
SPECIAL AWARD OF MERIT
Galveston
County – Project, Horticulture Therapy
The Horticulture Therapy Project is a long-term effort involving
many volunteers and carried out throughout many facilities in
the county. It promotes the use of gardening to help patients
recover and retain physical capabilities lost through illness,
accident and old age. In the process of going through horticulture
therapy, they also reconnect with their creativity, their dignity,
and other people. Sixteen Master Gardeners have been contributing
volunteer service toward this project.
Contact: Jim Edwards, (281) 534-3413; e-mail: galv3@wt.net
SPECIAL
AWARD OF MERIT
Wichita
County – Host, 2002 Advanced Training Seminar
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