After 20 years as a Denton County Master Gardener, Carolyn Tinner has decided to retire. Carolyn has been an exemplary Master Gardener who has served and educated the residents of Denton County well to fulfill Denton County Master Gardeners’ mission “to educate and engage county residents in the implementation of research-based horticultural and environmental practices that create sustainable gardens, landscapes, and communities.” During her tenure, Carolyn also helped grow Denton County Master Gardeners, their association, and their partners through her leadership, management, organizational and administrative skills.
Just three short years after her internship in 2002, Carolyn served as the DCMGA president in 2005. Under Carolyn’s leadership, the DCMGA was able to host the 2005 Texas Master Gardener Conference. She was honored with the Executive Board Award in 2009. In 2010 she received the John Cooper Educator Award for her consistent excellence in educational volunteer service.
Before DCMGA membership grew so large, there would be annual meetings for all members to attend to address concerns, issues, and tasks and develop a list of the essential items during the coming year. Carolyn played a significant role in the formation of this group, participating as a group monitor.
Carolyn was instrumental in establishing DCMGA’s Garden Fest, which was first held at LLELA-LISDOLA against traffic problems and rainy conditions. She stuck with it when it moved to the Upper Trinity grounds, to the Denton Library grounds until it morphed into Fall Fest at the First Baptist Church and Shiloh Acres in Denton, then TMUMC in Flower Mound and then back to Denton at the Fair Grounds.
The DCMGA Garden Tour is a long-time annual educational and fundraising event for which Carolyn opened her garden. She also gave educational talks at various other gardens through years of garden tours. Additionally, Carolyn worked on the DIG project, which was located on county property and helped to educate the public on good gardening practices. She and a few other Master Gardeners worked closely with the Upper Trinity Regional Water District to help install their landscape design for the UTRWD’s offices.
As a leader in specialty groups, Carolyn served on the Herbal Branch, Succulent Group, and Plant Propagation Group committees. She has spent countless hours planning events and classes to promote horticulture practices. Carolyn’s horticulture knowledge is extensive, yet her quest to learn new methods and plants continues. She enthusiastically shares ideas and facts in an entertaining and gracious way. She founded the Succulent Group in 2019, and when the pandemic limited formal education meetings, Carolyn opened her garden and greenhouse to continue to spread the word about succulents.
Carolyn’s involvement in other Master Gardener projects is varied and lengthy. She served on the Speaker’s Bureau, Fair Oaks Project, and the Plant Sale. She served as a judge at the Denton County Youth Fair, Herb Bowl, Flower Arranging, and the Fruit, Vegetable, Herb, and Flower Show. She is also a certified advanced training specialist in greenhouse management and plant propagation. Many early projects have come and gone that she worked on throughout her tenure.
Carolyn has a servant, educator, and doer’s heart. She has been steadfast to DCMGA, Texas Master Gardener Association, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and our Master Gardener coordinators throughout her tenure as a Master Gardener. Her influence through the years is evident in the organization that DCMGA has become, and the impact of her involvement in existing projects is apparent. We were very fortunate for her to have been a Denton County Master Gardener.