Join Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulture agents and specialists online as they continue to discuss gardening in the Gulf Coast Region of Texas. The September 2020 schedule is out. Please register to participate.
Search for Excellence AWARDS CEREMONY
Please join the Texas Master Gardener Association for the virtual TMGA Search for Excellence Awards Ceremony
Thursday, August 20, 2020
10:00 a.m. CST
CLICK HERE JOIN THE WEBINAR
Passcode: 004818
9th Annual Texas Fruit Conference – Online
Texas AgriLife Extension announced today that The 9th Annual Texas Fruit Conference on September 21st and 22nd will be held On-line, rather than in person. The program is committed to providing an easily-accessible, Online web conference that will be practical and educational for the diverse Texas fruit growing community’s needs.
The tentative program plan is as follows:
Session 1, Monday, September 21st: 1 pm to 5:00 pm: Intro to Fruit Growing Workshop—a crash course in starting a fruit orchard—crop and variety options, soil and water evaluation, orchard design, planting, irrigation etc.
Session 2, Tuesday, September 22nd: 9 am to 11:30 am: Texas’ Fruit Future—a series of presentations aimed at new growing practices, new crops and new marketing strategies (Titles and speakers to be determined)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm: Experiences in Growing Fruit Trees—a virtual field trip to one or more established fruit growers in Texas (Site(s) to be announced)
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Hard Questions—Good Answers—Live panel discussion with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Fruit Team
Registration Fee:
Monday (9/21) Only: Intro to Fruit Growing Workshop: $50
Tuesday (9/22) Only: Texas’ Fruit Future, Experiences in Growing Fruit Trees, Hard Questions/Good Answers: $35
Combination package: both sessions $70.00
Registration site: http://Agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ (Registration begins 8/14/2020)
For more information contact:
Monte Nesbitt
Horticultural Sciences
mlnesbitt@tamu.edu
Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Series
Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Series – August 2020
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time
Join Horticulturist David Rodriguez and Entomologist Molly Keck for their Live Lunch and Learn Gardening Webinar Series. Learn about your landscape and vegetable gardening. To join, click the link below and put in the meeting ID and Passcode at the date and time of the presentation.
Join the Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 990 2593 9574
Passcode: Garden2020
Schedule:
August 11: Tomato 101: Growing Basics
August 12: Pests of Tomatoes
August 18: Lawn 101: Turfgrass Basics
August 19: Lawn 101: Turfgrass Pests
August 25: Growing a Fall & Winter Vegetable Garden
August 26: Managing Cool Weather Fall Veggie Pests
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time
For more information, contact David Rodriguez, dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.edu
2020 BMGA Scholarship Awards
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce its annual college scholarships winners. Three $1000 scholarships were awarded today to high school graduates from Washington, Fayette & Colorado Counties, Texas. The winners are Braylee Schomburg (Washington County), Megan Schultz (Fayette County) and Zane Wanjura (Colorado County). Each recipient attended the BMGA July 28, 2020 online video conference meeting to introduce themselves to the entire membership. The bright students received some words of wisdom from some of the Master Gardeners and fielded questions from the audience. Read more about them below or click this link: Scholarship Winner Bios.
Congratulations to all three winners!
All About Trees: Forests – Living Pharmacies
All About Trees: Forests – Living Pharmacies
Registration: Please cut and paste the link into your browser.
https://tfs.webex.com/tfs/onstage/g.php?MTID=e46376572ab72e9dea2d947c49b06c626
June 25, Thursday
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
All About Trees: Forests – Living Pharmacies is bringing the science, the chemistry, the biology to the field of wild edible and herbal medicine. Dr. Mark Merriwether Vorderbruggen is a chemist, with an MS in medicinal chemistry and a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry.
“An estimated 50,000 plant species are used medicinally. Within the plant kingdom, trees make a substantial contribution to this figure, and many species are used in traditional and modern medicine.”
“Medicine from trees, extracted from the wood, bark, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, or seeds is fundamental to the well-being of millions of people. Where access to modern pharmaceuticals is limited, trees offer living pharmacies open to anyone with traditional knowledge on their medicinal properties.” (Global Tree Campaign)
Texas A&M Forest Service’s ALL ABOUT TREES has moved our live presentations to a web-based platform. This is in response to the important stay-at-home ordinances related to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Join us for this presentation series created to bring experts in forestry, arboriculture, chemistry, and science to answer your questions interactively through a dynamic CHAT feature.
Check with your local Texas Master Naturalist or Texas Master Gardener chapters for Advance Training AT credits. For CEUs from ISA, SAF, TNLA, and other organizational providers, a certificate of participation may be sent to you upon request for verification of attendance.
This class will be live on our WebEx platform allowing experts to answer your questions in real-time meeting state AT requirements.
__________________________________
For more information, contact:
JOHN R. WARNER, CF, CA, AF
URBAN DISTRICT FORESTER IV
Texas A&M Forest Service
1328 FM 1488, Conroe, TX 77384
936/546-3169 cell
tfsweb.tamu.edu
Plant Pathology for Master Gardeners – Free Online Course
Texas A&M AgriLife Exension offers a variety online gardning courses free of charge. One such offering is a self-directed course designed for Master Gardener interns to introduce the basic concept of plant disease development and an overview of the four common plant pathogen groups.
Plant disease is one of the most difficult topics for home gardeners. Although this course is designed for Master Gardener interns, experienced Master Gardeners may find this online course a good refresher on a complex topic.
These modules will provide some base information which will help participants gain a foundational understanding of the different plant-pathogen types, and will enhance better understanding of the material presented at classroom Master Gardener intern training on plant pathology.
See all available AgriLife online courses under the Plants and Garden.
Tomato 101: The Basics of Growing Tomatoes – Online Course
Tomatoes are the most popular garden edible crop in Texas according to Joseph Masabni, Assistant Professor and Extension Horticulturist, The Texas A&M University System. Although the jewel of the Texas garden, many home gardeners have disappointing results with tomatoes.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s online course Tomato 101: The Basics of Growing Tomatoes teaches the basics of growing tomatoes in your garden. You may cover the material at your own pace and on your own time schedule so begin when you’re ready. This course was first developed for Texas gardeners. However, most information is suitable for other regions.
The cost of the course is $20.00
See all available AgriLife online courses under the Plants and Garden.
Gulf Coast Gardening Online Series – Free
Join Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulture agents and specialists as they discuss gardening in the Gulf Coast Region of Texas. Mark your calendars for these CEU opportunties.
Register to attend live events:
Link to recorded past events CLICK HERE
July 2020
July 1 at 10:00am – Home Citrus Growing by Ginger Easton-Smith, AgriLife Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent in Aransas County
July 8 at 10am – Young Tree Care by Boone Holladay, AgriLife Extension Horticulture
July 15 at 10am – Cacti & Succulent Varieties by Kevin Gibbs, AgriLife Extension Horticulture
July 22 at 10am – Fabulous Figs for the Gulf by Stephen Brueggerhoff, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Brazoria County
July 29 at 10am – EarthKind Pest, Disease & Weed Control by Robert “Skip” Richter, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Brazos County
June 2020
June 3 at 10:00am – Annuals in the Summer Heat by Paul Winski, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Harris County
June 10 at 10:00am – Olives on the Texas Gulf Coast by Stephen Janak, Extension Program Specialist
June 17 at 10:00am – Gardening in Containers by Skip Richter, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Brazos County
June 24 at 10:00am – Turf Irrigation Audit by Michael Potter, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Montgomery County
From Garden to Glass: DIY Mocktails/Cocktails – Online Event
Join Aggie Horticulture & Denton County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension online for a Facebook Live event on “From Garden to Glass: DIY Mocktails/Cocktails”. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulturist Janet Laminack will be sharing about how to create mocktails and cocktails from plants in your garden. A team of Extension Specialists will also be available to answer questions in the chat window during the event.
Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM CDT
CEU credit for Master Gardeners.
Aggie Horticulture Live Facebook Events!
Join Aggie Horticulture on Wednesdays & Fridays at 1 p.m. Central time on the Aggie Horticulture Facebook Page to watch Facebook Live events!
Aggie Horticulture Live Facebook Events
Upcoming Events:
- 5/22/2020 – Friday 1:00 pm – From Garden to Glass DIY Mocktails/Cocktails
- 5/27/2020 – Wednesday 1:00 pm – “Some Like it Hot” – Growing Vegetables in Summer
- 5/29/2020 – Friday 1:00 pm – TBD
- 6/3/2020 – Wednesday 1:00 pm – Check your crape (and other plants) for scale
Qualifies for Master Gardener CEU Credits.
Prior Live Event Videos Available on Aggie Horticulture’s Facebook page:
- Raised Garden Beds, Location, Soil Mixtures and more!
- Starting vegetable seeds at home
- Planting vegetable transplants or direct seed into your garden!
- Home Fruit Production – Tips for Success!
- Small fruits for the backyard
- Floral Designs from your backyard – Growing, Cutting, Using your flowers and shrubs!
- Growing Herbs: Basil Bounty
- Backyard Grapes/Vineyards
- Pecan Grafting
- How to Prune Your Trees
- Lawn Care & Fertilization
- Drip Irrigation Essentials
- Grapevine Planting & Training Demo
- Tidying up your Irrigation System
- Keys to Successful Peach Production
- Indoor Gardening
- Growing Blueberries in Containers
All About Trees: Forests, Water and People Online Class
Thursday, May 21, 2020 2:00 pm
Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT-05:00)
COST: FREE
Thursday, May 21, 2020
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Click below link to register:
https://tfs.webex.com/tfs/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2b809db1e53296189759595ec886e545
Healthy forests are critically important for protecting water supplies.
Forests play an important role in providing clean water. More than 50 percent of the nation’s freshwater resources originate from forests that cover about one-third of the United States. In addition to providing clean water, forests also absorb rainfall, refill groundwater aquifers, slow and filter stormwater runoff, reduce floods and maintain watershed stability and resilience.
Several municipalities and water utilities have already recognized the important role forests play in supplying fresh drinking water, and, as such, have taken action to conserve these critical landscapes. Efforts are underway to explore these approaches throughout the South.
Approximately 89 percent of the South’s forestland is privately-owned, making it the nation’s stronghold for private forestland ownership. To sustain healthy forests and protect water resources, viable economic markets, careful forest management and well-targeted forest, conservation efforts are critical. (Southern Group of State Forester)
Texas A&M Forest Service’s ALL ABOUT TREES has moved several of our live presentations to a web-based platform. This is in response to the important stay-at-home ordinances related to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Join us for this presentation series created to bring experts in forestry, hydrology and arboriculture to answer your questions interactively through a dynamic CHAT feature.
Check with your local Texas Master Naturalist or Texas Master Gardener chapters for Advance Training AT credits. For CEUs from ISA, SAF, TNLA, and others organizational providers, a certificate of participation may be sent to you upon request for verification of attendance.
This class will be live on our WebEx platform allowing healthcare providers, certified forest therapy guides, foresters and arborists to answer your questions in real-time meeting state AT requirements.
Program information is available by emailing or calling John Warner, jwarner@tfs.tamu.edu or 936/546-3169.
Growing Blueberries in Containers – Online Event
Aggie Horticulture is hosting and online for a Facebook Live event on “Growing Blueberries in Containers.” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist Tim Hartmann will share about how to grow blueberries in containers. A team of Extension Specialists will also be available to answer questions in the chat window during the event.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM CD
Online Event: Join Event
CEU Credits for Master Gardeners.
Online Backyard Basics Gardening Workshop -May 29, 2020
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will a present a Backyard Basics: Gardening webinar on gardening and landscaping from 9 a.m.-noon May 29.
“This is a free workshop, and we hope folks from across Texas will join us,” said Matlin Sain, AgriLife Extension agent, Presidio County. “We’ll have a group of experts covering the backyard basics you need to know to have a more successful garden.”
Tree disease and pruning will both be discussed at the Backyard Basics webinar. (AgriLife Research photo)
Participants need to register in advance for the event, which will be held on the Zoom meeting platform. Contact Sain with any questions.
Scheduled topics and expert speakers are:
- Integrated Pest Management for Your Garden – Jeanette Castanon, AgriLife Extension horticulture agent, Midland.
- How to Identify Tree Diseases in Your Yard – David Appel, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension plant pathology specialist, College Station.
- How to Properly Prune Your Trees – Jonathan Motsinger, Texas A&M Forest Service, Central Texas Operations department head, Idalou.
Each topic will be followed by a Q&A period. For more information, visit the website for the AgriLife Extension office in Presidio County.
Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association members participating in any AgriLife sponsored horticulure educational program may claim CEU credit for the program.
This post and the photo were taken from AgriLife Today’s article of May 13, 2020.
All About Trees: Forests & Human Health Connections
EVENT – Forests & Human Health Connections – VIRTUAL CLASS
Immersion in forests and nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical well-being, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists in public health. Join the conversation in science-based evidence and practices about health, forests, and natural landscapes.
Texas A&M Forest Service’s ALL ABOUT TREES has moved several of our live presentations to a web-based platform. This is in response to the important stay-at-home ordinances related to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Join us for this presentation series created to bring experts in forestry, healthcare, wellness, forest and nature therapy, and arboriculture to answer your questions interactively through a dynamic CHAT feature.
Check with your local Texas Master Naturalist or Texas Master Gardener chapters for Advance Training AT credits. For CEUs from ISA, SAF, TNLA, CME, and others organizational providers, a certificate of participation may be sent to you upon request for verification of attendance.
This class will be live on our WebEx platform allowing healthcare providers, certified forest therapy guides, foresters and arborists to answer your questions in real-time meeting state AT requirements.
COST: FREE
Thursday, May 14, 2020
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Program information is available by emailing or calling John Warner, jwarner@tfs.tamu.edu or 936/546-3169.
BMGA Graduates 19 New Interns
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
Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping- A Virtual Master Gardener Training
Wildfire season is fast approaching. 🔥 This is occurring amid reports of the highest temperatures on record in some parts of the country and the continued megadrought in the southwestern U.S.- which is reported as one of the worst droughts in 1200 years! As well, extreme weather and other factors continue to fuel tragic wildfires every year across the country. For these reasons and more, it’s imperative that communities better prepare for wildfires. Master Gardeners are a trusted educational gardening resource in numerous U.S. communities and can play an important role in helping their communities become more wildfire resilient.
A new USDA-NIFA funded training was developed recently, Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping, to teach Master Gardeners about fire-resistant landscaping so, through their outreach and education efforts, they can help reduce their communities’ wildfire risk. Please invite Master Gardeners to join me for an upcoming training to learn more. Details follow.
Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping- A Virtual Master Gardener Training
Thursday, April 30, 2020, from 1pm-3pm Eastern (please check correct time for your time zone)
Description: This free, Zoom Master Gardener training on fire-resistant landscaping, or firescaping, will teach Master Gardeners about what firescaping is and how to implement it in their communities. Specifically, participants will learn about fire history and behavior and ways to prevent home ignition through understanding plant flammability and firescaping design. This Zoom training will include presentations, “interactive” activities, and a discussion period.
Zoom training details:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95360284745
Dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 953 6028 4745
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adt5MzasbS
LIVE EVENT – Tree Pruning & Planting – VIRTUAL CLASS
Texas A&M Forest Service’s ALL ABOUT TREES has moved several presentations to a WebEx platform. This series of presentations was created to bring experts in forestry and arboriculture together to answer your questions interactively through a dynamic CHAT feature.
BMGA Members recieve 1 CEU credit hour for participating in this live program.
Proper practices in pruning and planting will improve tree health and increase longevity. Before the first cut or tree is planted, having a purpose in mind will alleviate issues and problems down the road.
COST: FREE
Thursday, April 16, 2020
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Aggie Horticulture Videos and Live Events
Aggie Horticulture is hosting live horticulture events on Facebook. Aggie Horticulute serves gardening and horticultural crop information and news. These events are live but the recorded videos are available on the facebook page. While the way we learn and share has changed, there are still plenty of opportuntiees to continue your gardening education.
Master Gardener Home Video Tours!
Henry Duelberg Salvia, Salvia farinacea
Attention BMGA Master Gardeners & Training Interns! Its Spring, lets get out in our gardens and share them with others.
This is just for fun and because some training classes are unable to attend their regularly schedule tours for intern classes. Jayla Fry, Texas Master Gardener Coordinator, Texas A&M Universiy says “I’d like to initiate a MG Home Tour video file.” Jayla explains how it will work:
“Grab your smart phone and video your yard, lawn, garden or something horticultural at your home. You can do snippets of videos preferably 30 seconds to 1 minute long. Label your file with your name, county, and a brief description of what we will see. Remember this will be shared so don’t send anything you would want to share and also remember that your garden doesn’t have to be perfect or weed free. This is just for fun! Share your videos at the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jKjUZfjS9QbNCUs-l43qQ0RMznvowwu9?usp=sharing
Anyone can access the videos through the same link.
Thanks and happy gardening.”
Tour of Leach Teaching Gardens
It was a cold and windy day February 6, 2020 when the Bluebonnet Master Gardener 2020 Training Class toured the Leach Teaching Gardens at Texas A&M University. Nonetheless, the class bundled up in jackets, hats, gloves and winter boots and did not let the blustery day deter their enthusiasm to get out in the gardens.
AgriLife’s Joseph Johnson, Program Manager – The Gardens at Texas A&M University, met the class in the AgriLife building atrium where he gave a brief history of The Gardens and their purpose. He explained that the concept of the overall project, The Gardens at Texas A&M University, is for training, research and to enhance the green space on campus. The Leach Teaching Gardens is Phase I of the 27-acre garden project on Texas A&M campus. The Leach Teaching Gardens, which opened June 15, 2018, encompass seven-acres and are named after lead donors Amy & Tim Leach.
The Vinyard
Mr. Johnson explained that each garden section, or “room”, has a theme and is designed in the size of an average urban home’s yard. This way, homeowners who visit the gardens will see design, techniques and plants that can realistically be used in their Texas yards and gardens.
When the gardens were designed, the design criteria required use of the native soil and water rather than bringing in soil or treating the water. As the soil in the area is sandy loam and the water has a high salinity content, this presented special design challenges. One area in the garden that illustrates the challenge with the local water, is where the irrigation system sprays on the lower leaves of some young trees. The salt in the water damages the leaves, especially in warmer temperatures, so the damaged leaves fall off the trees. Eventually the trees will grow tall enough so that the water does not spray the leaves and the trees will survive. Mr. Johnson explained that the teaching point is that a drip irrigation system is so important in the Brazos River Valley area.
The Water Garden
The garden areas the class toured included the Earth-Kind garden provided by donations from the Texas Master Gardener Program which includes a rainwater harvesting system, a vegetable garden, a water garden, a butterfly garden, a pollinator garden, a vineyard, bird garden, the Food and Fiber field featuring wheat (corn in warmer months), a peach and plum orchard, the Mexican Heritage Garden celebrating the many plants originally from Mexico that grow well and are common in Texas gardens, sections celebrating Texas’ rich German and Czech heritage and of, course, an Aggie Maroon & White garden.
A special section of the garden was left totally in its native condition as its center piece is a magnificent 200+ year old post oak tree, dubbed the Century Oak. Mr. Johnson explained the measures that taken to protect this special tree from damage during the construction of the rest of the garden and the importance of not disturbing the area around the tree. He explained that that post oak are sensitive trees that do not do well when their environment is disturbed. Nor do they transplant well. He is working with others on a research project to try to develop techniques to grow and transplant post oak so that in the future, areas where post oak are lost due to urbanization and other disturbances to their environment may be replanted.
Although Winter may not be the most robust growing season, a visit to the Leach Teaching Gardens on a cold windy day in February clearly illustrated that Texas gardeners can have beautiful and interesting gardens year around by planning and choosing the proper plants. Many in the tour group expressed desire to come back in the Spring to the gardens again.
The 2020 Bluebonnet Master Gardener Training Class is appreciative of Mr. Johnson’s knowledge about and passion for the Leach Teaching Gardens, and especially grateful for his willingness to bundle-up in winterwear to provide a such a fine informative garden tour on a day most folks would rather stay indoors!
From more information about the Leach Teaching Gardens, visit: https://gardens.tamu.edu/leach-teaching-gardens/
2020 Master Gardener Open Houses
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is hosting three Open House events in January, 2020. If you are interested in learning more about the Master Gardener Program in Texas or want to sign-up for the intensive 5o- hour certficiation training class, please be our guest at one of these three events:
La Grange Open House
January 8, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Fayette County AgriLife Meeting Room
255 Svoboda Ln, Rm 134
La Grange, TX 78945
Brenham Open House
January 9, 2020
11:30 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.
Washington County Fairgrounds Sales Facility (Entrance on Independence St across from Sherriff’s Office)
1305 East Blue Bell Road
Brenham, TX 77833
Bellville Open House
January 9, 2020
10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon
AgriLife Extension Office – Austin County
800 E. Wendt St.
Bellville, TX 77418
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association 2020 Training Class will be held in Brenham. Space is limited. For more information and to apply online visit our Application Page.
2020 BMGA Mentor Program
“With every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see. “Ella Wheeler Wilcox, poet.
The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is reviving the mentor program that was so successful in the past to help trainees achieve Master Gardener certification. Starting with the 2020 BMGA Training Class, certified BMGA members may volunteer to mentor a trainee. The mentor’s obligation extends from when the classroom portion of the training program begins until the mentee achieves Master Gardener certification, up to one year from graduation from the training class.
Because so much information is provided during the training class about gardening, volunteering, continuing education, the relationship with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, BMGA projects, meetings and other activities, the mentor will help usher the trainee through the program. The mentor’s role is to assist the mentee as they move through the training class, help them achieve their required 50 volunteer hours within 1-year from graduation of the training program, answer questions about the Master Gardener program and simply be a friend who shares a passion for gardening.
As BMGA is a four county Master Gardener chapter covering the large geographical area of Austin, Colorado, Fayette & Washington Counties, mentors will be matched to trainees based on county of residence.
BMGA members are asked to sign-up for this important role in connection with the 2020 Training Class. If you are interested in mentoring a new trainee, please go to the Members Only Area to sign-up as mentor.
As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
Earth-Kind Landscape Short Course in Somerville
The 2019 Earth-Kind Landscape Short Course by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulture Sciences Program is a continuing education program designed for professionals responsible for managing and maintaining urban green space such as residential landscapes, parks, commercial properties and golf courses.
The course will also benefit municipal, schools, city personnel and landscape businesses, particularly those interested in developing sustainable urban landscape conservation programs.
Texas Master Gardeners earn CEUs for this course.
When:
December 16 – 18, 2019
Where:
Texas A&M HortTREC
3199 CR 269 E.
Somerville, TX 77879
Speakers:
- Dr. Mike Arnold
- Dr. Gerald Bergner
- Ms. Wizzie Brown
- Dr. Becky Grubbs
- Dr. Mengmeng Gu
- Dr. Young-Ki Jo
- Dr. Mark Matocha
- Mr. Shea McLamore
- Ms. Laura Miller
- Dr. Genhua Niu
- Dr. Kevin Ong
- Dr. David Reed
