Mary Ann began her volunteer experience with DCMGA in 2000 and retired in 2022. She became involved in DCMGA’s youth programming early in her tenure, although programs were limited then. As DCMGA evolved, so did its youth programs and the emergence of Science With Attitude (SWAt), the school-based program involving both youth and teachers. Mary Ann was instrumental in its project planning and active in educational events and training of teachers and students. Her knowledge of teaching and working with youth also made her a valued speaker at DCMGA’s Speakers’ Bureau. She remained in leadership roles within SWAt throughout the rest of her tenure, taking a special interest in Junior Master Gardener (JMG) programming. As a result, her and others’ leadership and skills were instrumental in SWAt being awarded second place in Education from Texas Master Gardener Association (TMGA) for SWAt’s JMG Specialist Training in 2011, first place in Education for SWAt’s educational outreach in 2015 and second place in 2017 for Youth for the DCMGA JMG Camp. In 2018, Mary Ann earned Advanced Master Gardener status for Junior Master Gardeners from which she continued to hone and use her educator skills to train other JMG educators until she retired.
In addition to SWAt, Mary Ann was a regular participant in DCMGA’s Children’s Garden, provided horticultural education for the Homeschool Gardeners, participated annually in Cool Shade for the Third Grade, and provided youth activities at our annual Fall Fest.
Mary Ann’s primary focus may have been on youth education, but she was active in many other areas of DCMGA activities as well. She was co-chair of the Propagation Team in 2014 and she was involved with the Denton Red Bud Festival and the DCMGA Tree team. She was also a member of the leadership committee for the 2014 DCMGA Garden Tour and volunteered for DCMGA’s annual Plant Sale for many years.
Over her 22 years of dedicated service to the Texas Master Gardener mission, her leadership roles, exceptional project work with youth and others, Mary Ann Mooreland has been an inspiration to the community, and tenured and Intern DCMGA members alike. She led the way to grow a significant DCMGA youth program, always focusing on education of youth no matter where she volunteered.