Emeritus Awards

Jackie Thornton is a quintessential Master Gardener and educator extraordinaire; the combination of which is difficult to find and impossible to replace. It is difficult to describe who Jackie is, or what she means to the Little River Basin Master Gardener Association and Milam County AgriLife Extension family, without seeming to exaggerate, but let us attempt:

She was a charter member of our Master Gardener Association and has held leadership positions from the top to the bottom of this organization, and everywhere in between. She was the first permanent president of our association; was class coordinator for many, many years; has presented programs and taught on a multitude of horticultural subject matter; helped train and mentor countless fledgling Master Gardeners; helped to design, build and maintain our beloved Triangle Demonstration Garden in Cameron in addition to coordinating the rededication of it after it was destroyed by a vehicle accident; organized and oversaw major fundraising campaigns to support the building of The Leach Teaching Gardens at Texas A & M; and was recognized as Outstanding Individual Master Gardener of the Year in 2015, just to name a few of her accomplishments.

She was as comfortable behind a podium as behind a shovel. She has tirelessly and willingly agreed to serve in any and all capacities that were ever requested of her. Her wit and wisdom, along with the vast knowledge base that she has so graciously shared with all throughout her almost 20-year service as a certified Texas Master Gardener, have endeared her to all who have worked beside her. She made learning fun and exciting, and encouraged and appreciated everyone who worked beside her. As stated in the application for Outstanding Gardener of the Year, “She is a witness and advocate for the Master Gardener program throughout Milam County.”

For these reasons and so many more, in recognition of her exemplary service to Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Master Gardener program, Jackie Thornton, has been awarded the honor of Texas Master Gardener Emeritus. There are none more deserving of this designation than she is.

No matter what title she carries, she will always be a part of our organization and our hearts. This association would not be what it is today were it not for her contributions and service in the past, which will undoubtedly provide a strong and stable foundation for us to build on in the future.

James and JoAnn Bradford joined LRBMGA as a team in 2009. Over the past 16 years, their service has exemplified the mission of LRBMGA. They served faithfully by providing sound horticultural advice and volunteering for projects willing; thus directly contributing to the success of the organization. It was a privilege to highlight their accomplishments by this Emeritus award.

Mary Neely joined the LRBMGA in 2015. Over the past 10 years she has been a phenomenal leader in our Junior Master Gardener program. She co-chaired the program for several years and was the lead teacher at Gause Elementary for JMG throughout her tenure. She promoted this excellent program and trained others to be active in schools throughout Milam County. Her accomplishments as a Texas Master Gardener, and especially with JMG, will be carried into the future for many to follow in her footsteps. It was an honor to bestow this Emeritus award to her.

The Little River Basin Master Gardeners had the honor of awarding the prestigious Emeritus award to Master Gardener Kent Givens of Rockdale.  Past President Monica Schiller presented him with the award.

Kent became a Texas Master Gardener in 2015 and it didn’t take him long to take major roles in leadership, service, and education.

Throughout his 10-years of service, Kent was active in all aspects of the Association — Board member, committees, educating with the public, teaching in MG training classes, working with schools and churches, and the community. 

Kent is highly respected and his work ethic, enthusiasm and energy for all things gardening will be missed.