The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce the graduation of 19 Master Gardener Interns who completed its 2020 Master Gardener Training Class. Master Gardener training is tough any time, but this group of interns are a particularly hardy, dedicated, flexible and passionate group. The class endured unique challenges due to the pandemic sending the last five training classes, a total of 20 hours, to online video conference sessions. Even the required intern presentations and the final exam moved to an online format. All but one field trip was cancelled.
Congratulations to the 2020 BMGA intern graduates:
| Bobby Bentke | Linda Hufford |
| Mary Jane Berger | Lillian Kwiatkowski |
| Rex Boyd | Kathleen Lannou |
| Terri Burnham | Mike Lannou |
| Deanna Butler | Cindy McAllister |
| Cameron Carper | Scarbrough, Carol |
| Michael Fromm | Gary Scardino |
| Esther Hartman | Stephanie Vickers |
| Randy Hegemeyer | Bonnie Wills |
| Linda Hill |
The class started out as one of change, including a new statewide Texas Master Gardener Handbook with new material to include in the program. In addition, the class was held for the first time in Washington County, first steps were taken to revive the mentor program and at the start of the class, efforts were made to move some administrative components of the class online. Although bumps in the road were expected due to the changes, a pandemic shutting down in-person training halfway through the 15-week program was not anticipated.
However, with the work and guidance of Washington County Texas AgriLife Extension Agent Kara Matheney, the many professionals associated with Texas A&M University and the class participants’ eagerness to continue their training, classes moved online with Zoom video presentations from AgriLife Specialists and others to complete the course. Although challenges persisted, the material and speakers were of the high quality required for Texas Master Gardener training.
The BMGA 2020 Training Class Committee gives a special “thank you” to all who presented to the class in-person or via video:
Kara Matheney – Introduction to AgriLife
Dr. Jake Mowrer – Soil Characteristics & Soil Improvement
Elizabeth Wizzie Brown – Insects
Joseph Johnson – Tour of the Leach Teaching Gardens at Texas A&M
Charlene & B.R. Koehler – Plant Propagation
Randy Albers – Plant Propagation
Michael Potter – Landscape Design
Jayla Fry – Plant Development
Sheila McBride – Diseases
Joel Pigg – Water
Tim Hartman – Earth-Kind Landscapes
Erfan Vafaie – Integrated Pest Management
Tim Hartman – Fruit Trees
Rebecca Bowling – Lawns & Weeds
Skip Richter – Vegetable and Herbs and Organic Gardening