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Bluebonnet Master Gardener AssociationTexas AgriLife Extension Service

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BMGA Chapter Meeting – La Grange

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Board Meeting:  8:30 a.m – 10:00 a.m.
Social: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Program: 10:30 a.m.– 12:00 noon.

Program:  Bill Runyon (Texas CoCoRaHS State Coordinator) will present  Understanding the Texas CoCoRaHS program and news about the latest weather patterns affecting our 4 counties (Colorado, Fayette, Washington, Austin)

Members may bring snacks to this meeting.

2022 Master Gardener Training Class Announced

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The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Assocation is pleased to announce that its 2022 Master Gardener training classes begin January 13 in Bellville, Texas.  Registration is now open.

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The series consists of 50 hours of training held every Thursday until April 21, 2022 (Two classes will be on Wednesday February 16th and April 6th).  Master Gardener Faye  Beery of Bellville is the coordinator of the 2022 training program.  Ms. Beery was certfiied as a Master Gardener in 2012 and coordinated several training classes in Austin County.  The BMGA  class is designed for trainees from any of the four Bluebonnet Master Gardener counties of Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides the training material and many of the expert horticulture and related speakers used by Master Gardener programs statewide.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals who are interested in horticulture and serving their community. Master Gardeners are trained in all facets of horticulture such as plant & soil science, entomology, plant pathology, fruit and vegetable gardening, and much more. Upon completion of their training, Master Gardeners will be required to give at least 50 hours of volunteer service time in their local community in order to receive the title of “Master Gardener”.

An Open House is scheduled January 6, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Austin County Extension Office, 800 E. Wendt St., Bellville Texas 77418.  for anyone interested in learning more about the program. This event will provide a great opportunity to visit with current Master Gardeners, learn about projects in each of the counties, and enjoy a few Master Gardener goodies.

Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference – Summer Session Scheduled

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The Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference is a celebration of vegetable production along the upper Gulf Coast region. Counties of Waller, Wharton, Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Colorado, and Austin join with Fort Bend to put on this event focusing on teaching sustainable practices to help producers maximize efficiencies and profitability. Although we were not able to host our annual Vegetable Conference in February, we have put together a short virtual summer session with topics centered around sustainable and organic production, disease and insect management, and variety selection. Partnering sponsors have allowed us to offer this program at a great price. The cost to attend is $10.  We will offer three (3) continuing education credits in the General category for Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator license holders.

Come join us virtually at the Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference – Summer Session on Thursday, July 29, 2021.  The conference will begin at 9:00 am and end at 12:00 pm.

To register, please go to https://tinyurl.com/t86xftbh.  There will be no in office registrations.  For general questions, please contact Brandy Rader at 281-633-7029.

 

2021 Fall Horticulture Seminar

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Please join Texas A&M Agrilfe Extension Service August 27, 2021 for the Fall Horticulature Seminar, hosted by Texas A&M Agrilfe Extension Service for Austin County.  Topics, which will be presented by AgriLife Extentions Agent Robert “Skip” Richter and Specialists Tim Hartmann, Ph.D and Monte Nesbitt, Ph.D  include:

Planting Fall Vegetables
Fruit Tree Care and Maintenance
Citrus Tree Care and Maintance
Prepping Plants for Freezes

RSVP HERE by August 25, 2021  or call 979-865-2072.

2021 BMGA College Scholarships Announced

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The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce its 2021 annual college scholarships winners.  Three $1000 scholarships were awarded to high school graduates from Washington, Fayette & Colorado Counties, Texas.  The winners are Taylor Limbaugh (Fayette County),  Clayton Boeker (Washington County) and  Leroy Stavinoha, III (Colorado County).   All three demonstrated outstanding acheivement in leadership, citizenship, community service and other endevours that form the basis of becoming lifelong responsible, productive citziens and leaders in their communtiies.

Congratulations to all three 2021 scholarship winners!

Taylor Limbaugh, Fayette County

Clayton Boeker, Washington CountyLeory Stavinoha, III, Colorado County

2021 Master Gardener Training Class Graduates New Interns

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2021 Intern Class

The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association is proud to announce the graduation of 10 Master Gardener Interns who completed its 2021 Master Gardener Training Class.  The training classes began January 12th and continued every Tuesday through April 27th at the Weimar Civic Center.  This was the first Master Gardening Training class held in Colorado County, although trainees from all four BMGA counties were eligible for the class.  The 2021 Class Coordinator was BMGA member Robbie Showers, who was assisted by Lynn Showers.  Colorado County AgriLife Extension Agent Laramie Kettler was the sponsor of the class. Some training presentations were virtual while some where in-person.

After completing 64 hours of intense instruction and passing a final exam, to be certified as a Master Gardener,  the interns are required to complete 50 hours of gardening volunteer service within 1-year.  Such volunteer activities must be work on approved BMGA projects that assist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in educating the public about gardening.

One of the ten interns, Ms. Nancy Galloway, completed her 50-volunteer hour requirement prior to the class graduation date in April.  Robbie Showers commented that the 2021 “interns are eager to learn and work hard to get their hours.”  She said they “were a great bunch of people to work with” during the class.

Congratulations to the 2021 BMGA Master Gardener intern graduates:

Cheryl Rose
Mariar Schonenberg
Frank Montieth
Norma White
Nancy Galloway
Regena Williamson
Mary Ellen Holub
Lisa Slinkard
Linda Miller
Sharon Wegenhoft.

Bugs by the Yard & Unwanted Guests Podcasts

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Bumble Bee Insects and pests are some of the most diffcult challenges home gardeners and homeowners try to manage.  To address these issues, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists in entomology and integrated pest managemnt (IPM) have team-up to present two podcasts:  “Bugs by the Yard”  and “Unwanted Guests”.  Both are free and open to the public to listen and learn from these specialists.

Bugs in the Yard: A weekly podcast focused on garden pests and bugs.

Hosts: Texas A&M AgriLife Exention
Dr. Erfan Vafaie (IPM Specialist)
Molly Keck (entomologist, Bexar County)
Wizzie Brown (entomolgoist, Travis County)

Listen:    Link to Listen to Bugs by the Yard Podcasts

Unwanted Guests: This podcast covers insects and pests we don’t want in the house.

Hosts: Texas A&M AgriLife Exention
Robert Puckett, Ph.D. (entomolgist, Bryan-College Station)
Jane Hurley (IPM Specialist, Dallas)
Molly Keck (entomologist, Bexar County)
Wizzie Brown (entomolgoist, Travis County)

Listen: Availalbe on podcast platforms like iTunes and Audible.

 

 

 

 

 

BMGA Chapter Meeting – Weimar

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April 27, 2021 – Intern Graduation
Weimar Civic Center at 1754 I-10
Weimar, TX 78962
BMGA Intern Class Graduation.  There are 11 graduates.

8:30  – 10:00:     Board of Directors Meeting
10:00 – 10:20:    Social/Team Time
10:20 – 10:30:    Pledges/Prayers (Al Prescott)
10:30 – 11:00:    Graduation
11:00 – 11:30:     Presentation on new VMS system (Stacie Villareal)
11:30 – 12:30:    Catered Lunch – This is NOT a pot-luck so please do not bring food.

Social distancing and masks required.

2021 Virtual Advanced Training in Rainwater Harvesting

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Rainwater Harvesting

 

 

 

 

Think you know everything about Rainwater Harvesting? Think again! and then sign up for the online 2021 MG Advanced Training in Rainwater Harvesting. Most sessions will be led by Dr. Dotty Woodson, retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Water Specialist. Those that have had classes with Dotty know she is an excellent speaker and a super educator. Sign up for the class and learn new things about Rainwater Harvesting from Dr. Dotty Woodson.

The Master Gardener 2021 Rainwater Harvesting Advanced Training Class is being offered to certified Master Gardeners only by Tarrant County Master Gardeners. The training will be an online event on three consecutive Fridays in May, meaning participants can remain at home (living more cheaply than being on the road) and still obtain excellent Rainwater Harvesting training. Remaining at home is also good for spring gardens!

Three consecutive Fridays – May 7, 14, & 21, 2021
Virtual Presentation hosted by the Tarrant County Master Gardener Association

Tuition is $125.00

Registration  Deadline April 30, 2021
Click for Registration Information

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