As a lifelong North Texas native, I’ve lived in the Dallas Metroplex my entire life. I’m married to my childhood sweetheart, Marvin, and we’re blessed with two sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and three delightful grandchildren.
I joined the Collin County Master Gardeners Association (CCMGA) in 2016 and have been actively involved ever since. I’ve served on the CCMGA Executive Board in multiple roles, including Membership Director (current), Administrative Director, President (2019-2020), and Past President. I also serve on the Collin County Horticulture Program Area Committee and am the VMS Administrator for CCMGA.
Throughout my time with CCMGA, I’ve had the privilege of leading several projects, including the Herb Advanced Training and our Training Class for two years. I’ve earned advanced certifications in Greenhouse Management and Herbs and currently work with the Propagation Team to experiment with plants and seeds for our Plant Sale.
Last year, I planted a Cut Flower Garden, which turned out to be a stunning success and a new favorite hobby. Gardening is my true passion, and I take joy in nurturing both a vibrant flower garden and a thriving vegetable garden.
Beyond gardening, I enjoy traveling and have had the opportunity to visit over 20 countries—a blessing that has enriched my life immensely.
Email: [email protected]
1st VP: Judi Benstante, San Jacinto Co.
Many of my earliest life experiences took place in the garden. I still remember, at about three years old, questioning my paternal grandmother at the dinner table about why we were eating “weeds” I had picked from the garden—fresh collard greens, as it turned out. In hindsight, it’s clear that my love for growing things began very early.
In 2010, shortly after retiring from a career as an educator and private businesswoman, I learned about the first Texas Master Gardener training offered in San Jacinto County and eagerly enrolled. Now, fifteen years later, after two terms as the group’s President and service as JMG Coordinator, grant writer, Parliamentarian, Mother’s Day Tea Chairperson, Garden Home Tour participant, and guest lecturer for the Coldspring–Oakhurst school district in our vineyard, I remain just as enthusiastic about learning and growing within the gardening experience.
My professional background spans public, private, Catholic, correctional, and university education. I hold multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin and a Viticulture Certification from Texas Tech University. I am currently the co-owner and president of Carriage House Farm and Vineyard and The Lone Pine Pavilion in Coldspring, Texas. I am also honored to serve as First Lady of Coldspring alongside my childhood sweetheart and husband of 55 years, who serves as the mayor of our rural community.
We have been blessed with two sons, three grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters—with another on the way—all of whom live or have lived on our farm. I believe that all these years of experience are just the beginning, and I look forward with excitement to what the future holds and to the next harvest at our vineyard.
1st VP: Janet Hunter Lane, Dallas Co.
A longtime Dallas resident, I am a retired attorney, Texas Master Gardener, and gardening enthusiast. I became a Master Gardener to deepen my horticultural knowledge and soon discovered that the program offered something equally valuable – the opportunity to educate and serve the community while working alongside others who share my love of gardening.
I currently serve as Second Vice President of Membership and Programs for the Dallas County Master Gardener Association, where I coordinate monthly educational programs and speakers for the public and an association of nearly 400 members. I have also coordinated Taste of the Gardens, a series of smaller, focused horticultural programs presented several times each year to encourage learning and community engagement.
My professional and volunteer experience has taught me the importance of thoughtful communication, collaboration, and bringing people together around a shared purpose. As TMGA Second Vice President of Outreach, I look forward to strengthening connections between TMGA and county associations, sharing successful ideas and resources, and helping Texas Master Gardeners learn from and support one another.
My husband, Jerry, and I have one son. When I am not gardening or volunteering, I enjoy traveling – especially visiting historic botanic gardens and iconic landscapes – and finding inspiration to bring home.
SECRETARY: Jane McGowen, Hood Co.
A native of Minneapolis, MN, I moved to Chicago in 1985 and enjoyed a career in travel management and product development, working for Abercrombie & Kent International. My work at A&K focused mainly on travel to Asia, Australia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and in later years, included the addition of Orient Express Trains & Cruises. I have traveled extensively, and with my husband, visited all seven continents and over 70 countries.
In 2006, my husband Ray and I retired to his native Texas, moving to Lake Granbury in Hood County. Realizing that my favorite northern plants would not survive the southern heat, I became a Certified Master Gardener in 2009 and learned about gardening in Texas. In addition to being involved with various Lake Granbury Master Gardener local projects, I have been a TMGA Director for several years and has served as Hood County’s Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer.
Email: [email protected]
TREASURER: Becky Ferrara, Milam Co.
I grew up watching my grandparents grow huge gardens, and my grandmother “rescue” plants, bulbs and seeds from the roadside as well as abandoned, and some “not so abandoned”, homesites throughout my life. The green thumb seemed to have skipped a generation, but I always had the desire to resurrect it, and Master Gardener classes helped me with that endeavor. I became a Certified EMG in 2017, in Milam County, where I have grown in knowledge of all things horticultural, as well as grown some amazing friendships.
A guiding belief throughout my adult life is that when we support something and want to see it prosper, we should donate our time, talents, and treasure as we are able. To this extent, I have served on a multitude of committees as well as the executive board of our local, Little River Basin Master Gardener Association, holding the offices of Corresponding Secretary, 2nd Vice President (VMS Coordinator), President, and currently, Immediate Past President. I also served on the Tax Advisory Committee and the Financial Review Committee for TMGA this past year. In 2017, I attended JMG AT and served as our local JMG Committee Chair until this past year, and still teach JMG, which allows me to join my love of gardening and kids. Additionally, I serve on the Pastoral Council of our church, as well as the board of our Ladies’ society, and volunteer in ministry positions.
A firm believer that we should grow where we are planted, I continually strive to do just that; learning as I grow. Of all the beautiful things I have been a part of growing, the most endearing and wonderful have been our daughter, our son and now our three grandsons. Hoping that my garden of littles continues to grow and flourish.
Email: [email protected]
PAST PRESIDENT: Kathryn Wells, Denton Co.
Originally from South Carolina, I moved with my family to north central Texas in 2010 – just in time for one of the coldest winters of record … and one of the hottest, driest subsequent summers of record. Wow! Surprised by the temperature extremes, I quickly turned to native and Texas Superstar© plants for our property, which is a Monarch Waystation and a Certified Wildlife Habitat©.
Having served four consecutive years on the TMGA Executive Committee as President (2025), 1st Vice President (2023 – 2024), and 2nd Vice President (2022), it’s now a privilege and a pleasure to support our excellent team as Immediate Past President.
On the local level, I served seven consecutive years on the Denton County MGA Board as Past President (2023 – 2024), President (2020 – 2022), Vice President (2019), and Communications Director (2018). Among other volunteer positions, I served seven years on the Texas Master Naturalist – Elm Fork Chapter Board of Directors, most recently as Immediate Past President in 2025. As a Board member of Native Plant Society of Texas – Trinity Forks Chapter, I chair the Grants Committee and teach Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) classes.
My newest and most important position is “Lovey” to our first grandchild – our daughter’s daughter, who made her grand debut in January 2025.