Master Gardeners celebrate twentieth anniversary
Anne Brown accepts the Emerita Award from Roy Walston on behalf of Tommie Airhart. Courtesy Photo
The Hill Country Master Gardeners (HCMG) celebrated their 20th Anniversary on September 14th at the pavilion of the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville.
Over 70 HCMG members gathered to enjoy a delicious meal provided by their hospitality committee, recognize new graduates and review their accomplishments over the past twenty years.
Anne Brown, two-time past president, and Roy Walston, retired agricultural extension agent for Kerr County, described important events in the HCMG history, from holding the state Master Gardener convention in 2007 to building the two greenhouses used to grow plants for annual plant sales to designing and constructing the demonstration garden at the AgriLife Extension office in Kerrville.
Highlights from the celebration were awarding the prestigious Emerita status to one of the founders of HCMG, Tommie Airhart of Kerrville, and the recognition of three new master gardeners: Michael Bell, Becky Leal and Phil Roberson.
Every year, the HCMG conduct an eight-week educational program based on Texas AgriLife Extension Service guidelines. Volunteers are trained in horticultural specific topics. The mission of the Hill Country Master Gardener Association is to support the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service by providing research- based information and education to the community on the best practices of horticulture and environmental stewardship. Information is available on hillcountrymastergardeners. org or by calling
830-257-6568.