Awards for Smith County Master Gardeners For Year 2024
Master Gardener of the Year (Achievement): awarded to a Smith County Master Gardener who is involved in at least two activities, programs, or projects with educational value/benefits for the community.
Belinda Kromer -for her unwavering dedication to many projects in SCMGA including Goodman-LeGrand project co-lead, Shade Garden section leader and Heritage Garden, Home Garden Tour Home CoChair, Bulbs to Blooms, VMS Administrator and Volunteer Assistance Committee, Kids Nature Detective Camp, Speakers Bureau Volunteer, East Texas State Fair 4-H Landscape Judging Liaison and so much more.
Master Gardener of the Year (Hours): awarded to the certified Master Gardener with the highest number of reported hours working on approved Master Gardener projects during the previous calendar year.
Mary Jo Madden –with 679.45 hours total volunteer hours managing the SCMGA office and Help Desk, From Bulbs to Blooms in multiple roles, producing the monthly Grapevine Newsletter, leading the Seed Bank Project to name a few things she does to help our Master Gardeners.
Intern of the Year (Achievement): awarded to the Intern who shows the most initiative, leadership and/or above average involvement. Award year will run from April 1 to March 31 following graduation from Master Gardeners class.
Annette Vanduren –for taking initiatives to join the Tech Committee in her intern year and using her expertise with Tyler Botanic Garden Project to help develop bed mapping and plant identification; co-chairing the 2025 Home Garden Tour, and developing standard SCMG presentation formats.
Intern of the Year (Hours): awarded to the Intern with the highest number of reported volunteer hours working on approved Smith County Master Gardener projects.
*Roxanne Terrell –with 342 hours of outstanding volunteer efforts with a variety of SCMG projects. We also want to express our gratitude and thank Roxanne for her reliable Help Desk work.
Intern of the Year (CE Hours): awarded to the Intern with the highest number of reported Continuing Education Hours approved Smith County Master Gardener Association Education. Award runs from April 1 to March 31.
**Roxanne Terrell -with 90 Hours of Continuing Education credits
**Lifetime Awards: Awarded based on fulfilling criteria set in Policy 1009, Membership.
Charlie Colman: Certified in 2012 Class 18
Executive Committee (BOD) Member-at-Large 2013, 2014 and 2016
Project or Committee Coordinator Overton Field Project 2013-2022
Charlie was an instrumental part of the leadership in the Overton Field Trials He scheduled and mentored interns and Master Gardeners through his 10 years as a leader for SCMGA in this project. This project was nominated and received state awards under his leadership: 3′ place in 2017, 1st place in 2018 and 3ª place in 2022
Other project or committee involvement: Conducted SCMGA Annual Financial Reviews in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022, and co-teamed with Victor in 2023. Charlie very pleasantly agreed to assist with the annual financial reviews multiple times realizing the time it involved and did thorough work each time, communicating findings and recommendations for changes.
Years served: Volunteer hours reported 2143.5
Average per year 153
Other significant achievements:
Texas State Master Gardener of the Year 2nd Place 2015
Served on numerous committees through the years; nominating committee, home tour committee, survey to improve SCMGA with implementation of member suggestions (2016), etc.
Monette Colman: Certified in 2012 Class 18
Home Garden Tour 2013, 2017, Nominating Committee Chair 2013-20,15,
Mentor Program 2015, 2015
Other project or committee involvement: SCMGA Apparel Coordinator 2013-2019, responsible for all MGs Apparel including caps, aprons, shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, bags etc. During the time she was the Apparel Coordinator, there was no computer use, so she was manually logging and coordinating that program.
Christmas Party Entertainment Coordinator 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017
She was an active volunteer in the Overton Field Project.
Years served 1 4 Volunteer hours reported 2674 Average per year 191
Other significant achievements:
MG Intern of the Year 2011-2012
As is apparent, Monette with her husband, Charlie, have been very active as members of SCMGA since their certification in 2012. They have regularly attended the membership meetings and other sponsored SCMGA events, working hard to mentor and teach in our program. A valued and treasured member!
Andie Rathbone: Certified in 2004 Class 10
Andie served as Association President twice and was on the SCMGA Board of Directors 6 times.
Project or Committee Coordinator: In 19 years Andie participated in every major Association project and has chaired most of them at least once. She developed our Facebook page (14,004 followers) and Social Media presence and headed up those projects since 2012. In 2022 she created and led our partnership with the local CBS TV station where MGs present live weekly gardening segments to an audience of 16,000. She was a frequent speaker at public and in-house events, often heading our education table, and was a regular Help Desk volunteer. Her dedication to educating the public through speaking, social media, and on-site presence was exceptional. She shared her knowledge, humor, and enthusiasm for gardening with everyone she met as an ambassador for SCMGA and TA&M AgriLife Extension Service. She was selected as the Outstanding Texas Master Gardener of the Year for 2023 in the Large Organization category.
The following quote is from Greg Grant, our local AgriLife Extension agent: “Andie Rathbone is indispensable to both our office and our Smith County Master Gardener program. As a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture agent with years of experience I can honestly say that it’s very difficult to find a dedicated volunteer to tackle even ONE of these [major] educational endeavors and I would say virtually impossible to ever find another that would not only do the same but come anywhere near doing it with such poise and professionalism. Andie seemingly spends every hour and resource that she has assisting Texas A&M AgriLife and our MG program in educating the public and in ways typically associated with younger generations that grew up without technology.
Project of the Year: awarded to the coordinator(s) of the project based on the educational value and impact/benefits to the community. May be an ongoing project, but the award will be based on the accomplishments of the award year.
2024 Home Garden Tour and Earth-Kind Education:
Laurie Graham and Janie Fowler-Project Co-Chairs and their team of 102 Master Gardeners who worked on the 2024 Home Garden Tour. This year the Home Garden Tour reshaped and redirected the Home Garden tour to developing a community education approach. EarthKind Education topics were incorporated at all 5 Garden locations. Specific EarthKind education materials for each topic were provided to attendees, Garden Guide and Calendars and Books were offered for purchase.
Public Awareness and Education: awarded to recognize exceptional efforts in, but not limited to the following areas: Publicity (print and media) and Social Media.
Lynn McGinnis: for juggling three projects in addition to her other responsibilities: 1) internal development of the SCMG Committee & Project Handbook which is a new education resource for Interns and Members; 2) coordination of media publicity for the
Home Garden Tour and 3) coordination of the marketing and promotion for From Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale.
No Problem Award: awarded for willingness to lend a helping hand with projects whenever asked.
Julie O’Brien-As a first year Certified Master Gardener, Julie stepped up to co-chair the Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale, served as a Mentor for a new Intern, and manned the Help Desk as a regular assignment.
Helping Hand Award: awarded for willingness to lend a helping hand with projects whenever asked.
Jim McLain: In addition to pitching in, Jim lent his expertise in woodworking with making writing pens to sell along with working at Bulbs to Blooms Sale, and works in the Heritage Garden
Research and Development Award: awarded to recognize developing or assisting with innovative research projects.
Mary Beth McCown- for her amazing historical SCMG research and documentation of Smith County Master Gardener 2024 year in photos and video
Elizabeth Waldrop- for her dedicated research on the Goodman-LeGrande historic garden restoration project
Friend of the Master Gardeners: awarded to an individual, company or business organization outside of the SCMG organization, who has provided money, facilities, advertising, publicity, and/or other kinds of support during the previous year.
Amanda Southard: for her organizational prowess, teamwork, and ability to keep us all on track, with meeting scheduling, sign up sheets and meeting materials ready. Her incredible positive attitude is a gift and strength for SCMGA and AgriLife.
Randy Huntsberger: for his generous donations to Lollar St Community Garden Project with time, materials, training and constructing the planting beds
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Gamma Omicron Omega Chapter: for their exceptional partnership in creating the Lollar Street Community Garden Project
Pollard United Methodist Church: for hosting the 2024 From Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Bulb Sale
Scotts Miracle Gro: for their mulch donation with trees and shrubs at From Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Bulb Sale
Marilyn Tanner: for her ongoing support and partnership in the Shade Garden Fountain project
Youth Award: awarded to recognize outstanding work with youth in the community, as part of a Smith County Master Gardener program.
Hazel Bateman-for her dedication and work with developing Youth Gardens at Kissam Intermediate School in Chapel Hill School District
Sherri Matthews-for her dedication and work with developing Youth Gardens at Kissam Intermediate School in Chapel Hill School District
New Initiative Award: awarded to recognize new programs/projects that are successful, innovative and meet the criteria of Project of the Year.
Lollar Street Community Garden -a collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha in which SCMG volunteers partnered with the sorority and community to educate and develop a community garden.
Volunteers: Katy Barone, Colleen Huntsberger, Harvey Collen, Tom Cox, Terri Gerber, and Gail Bean, coordinator.
Golden Work Glove Award: awarded to recognize a master gardener for their hard work in the demonstration gardens above and beyond the normal volunteer requirements.
Linda Gurasich -for her perseverance and determination to develop a bed mapping and plant identification system for all three gardens in Tyler Botanic Garden.
Certificate of Appreciation: awarded to recognize help with a specific project or task.
Janie Fowler: for her faithful monthly intern volunteer hours status reports
Anne Pattullo: for her numerous contributions to Home Garden Tour and From Bulbs to Blooms subcommittees
Janet Burns: for her dedication and work on From Bulbs to Blooms Bulb Cleaning subcommittee
Mary Beth McCown: for her exceptional support and assistance with the Board presentation and development of the 2024-2025 Strategic Plan and 2025 Chairmanship of the Nominating Committee
Gary Gardner: for stepping up to co Chair the From Bulbs to Blooms event while taking on leadership as Vice President. Also we want to give him a hand for his beautiful photography which we all enjoy
Mary Jo Madden: for sharing her skills and knowledge in managing our Help Desk, the SCMGA office, updating the Member Directory annually, producing the monthly Grapevine Newsletter, and the Board ByLaw booklets and work in Bulbs to Blooms subcommittees. Most of all, her willingness to share the depth of her knowledge and experience with all of us.
Sara Emry-Arthur: for her diligence on behalf of SCMGA serving as both Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer for the last 3 years. We are a stronger organization for her attention to financial procedures and thank you for your work.
President’s Award: awarded by the past president to an individual deemed to have been instrumental in assisting the past president during his/her term of office.
Mary Hamlin: for her 1) mastery of VMS and all projects that involve our volunteer reporting as well as being our 2) expert in editing for all of us and 3) editing and writing some of our submissions for annual state Search for Excellence Awards, 4) keeping us all updated with weekly Eblast communications, and 5) keeping and sharing her historical knowledge of SCMGA and its members.
Agent’s Award: awarded by the County Horticultural Agent for going above and beyond the call of duty in helping the agent meet his objectives.
Sheryl Chester, AKA Butterfly Kisses: for her non-stop efforts in beautifying, teaching, mentoring and fluttering.
Smith County Master Gardener Association Awards for 2023
MG of the Year, Achievement: Andie Rathbone
MG of the Year, Hours: MJ Madden
Intern of the Year, Achievement: Julie O Brien
Intern of the Year, Hours: Kimberly Smith
Intern of the Year, CE’s: Jackie Thomason
President’s Award: Belinda Kromer
Agent’s Award: Brenda Strong
Project of the Year: Bulbs to Blooms (Lenka Johnson, Jolana Damkroger, Morgan Wood, Brenda Strong)
New Initiative: Lynn McGinnis
Public Awareness: Morgan Wood
Research & Development: Katy Barone, Dana Anderson (Shade Garden)
Golden Work Glove: Laurie Graham, Cindy Herrington (IDEA)
No Problem: Gary Gardener
Helping Hand: Janet Burns
Friends of SCMGA: Chris Wiesinger/ Southern Bulb Co., Marilyn Tanner, Texas Organics/ Diane Frieschen
Certificates of Appreciation: Marlyn Waddleton, Linda Gurasich, Navye Cummings, Heather Stephens, Ruth York, Yvonne Hogan, Cheryl Chester
Milestone Awards:
15 years – David Gary, Hazel Bateman
20 Years – Craig Reiland
25 Years – Brenda Strong
Volunteer Hours Achievement, 1st Year Master Gardeners:
Bronze Level – Gary Gardner, Libby Sanson
Master Gardener Volunteer Hours Achievement:
Bronze Level – Dana Anderson, Betty Atchley, Katy Barone, Betsy Browder, Henry Burch, Mary Cantrell, Cris Cochran, Navye Cummings, Jolana Damkroger, Wayne Elliott, Sara Emry-Arthur, Daniel Gerber, Linda Gurasich, Cindy Harrington, Colleen Huntsberger, Brooks Kerr, Shirley Long, Victor Long, Sherri Matthews, Mary Beth McCown, Lynn Mc Ginnis, Linda Munn, Anne Pattullo, Denise Rascos, Lynette Sewell, Chris Steavenson, Heather Stephens, Becky Wade, Dale Wade, Debby Watkins
Silver Level – Gail Bean, Janie Fowler, Martha Fowler, Terri Gerber, Laurie Graham, Lenka Johnson, Andie Rathbone, Cynthia Siegel, Brenda Strong, Debbie Taylor
Gold Level – MJ Madden, Belinda Kromer, Elizabeth Waldrop
Smith County Master Gardener Association Awards for 2022
Each year at its April luncheon, our local Smith County Master Gardeners Association awards are presented to Master Gardeners for special achievement during the previous year. These 2021 SCMGA Awards reflect the hard work and dedication by our members. Congratulations to each and every Smith County Master Gardener member. (note: 2022 awards were announced in April of 2023)
Master Gardener of the Year (Achievement): award to a Smith County Master Gardener who is involved in at least two activities, programs or projects with educational value/benefits for the community.
Elizabeth Waldrop -for her love and dedication to SCMGA with emphasis on teaching and sharing her gardening expertise in every event and workshop, in the succulent garden of the IDEA Garden, and many speaking events all over this community. Her education leadership for all programs, activities, projects and speaking events for the entire community in 2022 is the definition of this award.
Master Gardener of the Year (Hours): awarded to the certified Master Gardener with the highest number of reported hours working on approved Master Gardener projects during the previous calendar year.
Mary Jo Madden – with 1041 total volunteer hours managing and manning SCMGA Helpdesk, working in the Heritage Garden, the Blooms to Bulbs Project, publishing the Grapevine monthly, serving as Parliamentarian and so much more.
Intern of the Year (Achievement): awarded to the Intern who shows the most initiative, leadership and/or above average involvement. Award year will run from April 1 to March 31 following graduation from Master Gardener class.
Maggie Taliaferro – for exceptional efforts in volunteering, assisting and creatively contributing in all areas of our Master Gardening program including the gardens of the TBG, East Texas State Fair, Bulbs to Blooms and for serving on a new project in 2022 as Chair for our Book Project.
Intern of the Year (Hours): awarded to the Intern with the highest number of reported volunteer hours working on approved Smith County Master Gardener projects. For Class 28 , the Award year will run from September 1,2021 to March 31, 2022.
Dale Wade – with over ??? hours of outstanding volunteer efforts in SCMGA projects, events, the gardens of the TBG and serving as Co-Chair for Speakers Bureau.
(waiting on final hours for that number)
Lifetime Awards: awarded based on fulfilling criteria set in Policy 1009, Membership.
Ann Smith – for timeless dedication in all areas of SCMGA since her certification with Class 11 in 2005. For 8 years she directly shaped the New Master Gardener classes as the SCMG in charge of planning and executing classroom set up, materials, in-room schedules and personnel issues. At the same time, for 10 years, she served as the Membership and Volunteer Coordinator for the organization. In addition, she volunteered many hours in other projects such as the Bulb Sale and East Texas Fair, always willing to help where needed.
David Gary– from Class 14, certified in 2008, he is a past President and has served in many leadership roles on the board of directors for SCMGA and various committees and projects. He is an avid volunteer speaker at events all over the state and frequently speaks at the Dallas Arboretum. He is an incredible ambassador for the program and he continues his mission to spread the word on gardening!
Kathy Ballow – from Class 2, certified in 1996, Kathy is the longest serving active member in SCMGA. For 26 years she has regularly volunteered for projects and programs including the ET State Fair, Home Garden Tour, our TBG Gardens, Bulbs to Blooms Sale, Helpdesk, Conferences, Main Street Flower Market, and special projects as they happened. She also faithfully attended educational events such as the Monthly Membership Meetings, Library Series, workshops, and even educational events in surrounding counties. Her commitment is such that she did this while living in Henderson, and has logged 2246 miles since 2018 in order to fulfill her obligation to SCMGA. Kathy is truly the kind of reliable, consistent, involved volunteer who is the very backbone of any volunteer organization.
Project of the Year: awarded to the coordinator(s) of the project based on the educational value and impact/benefit to the community. May be an ongoing project, but the award will be based on the accomplishments of the award year.
Nature Detective Camp – Led by Katy Barone, the camp was the first of its kind that is destined to continue with a staff of dedicated Master Gardener teachers and assistants to facilitate the education of future gardeners to save our earth!
Public Awareness and Education: awarded to recognize exceptional efforts in, but not limited to the following areas: Publicity (print and media) and Social Media.
Lynn McGinnis – for her incredible success as Leader of the Communication and Technology Organization standardizing our methods for reaching the public with technology and other media, soliciting sponsorships for events and organizing the SCMGA organization in the wide world of media and advertisement.
Social Media Award:
Stephanie Osborn – for developing the newly formed Development Committee with fresh ideas, plans and expansions of SCMGA social media platforms into new areas of exposure for the education of our community.
No Problem Award: awarded for willingness to lend a helping hand with projects whenever asked.
Laurie Graham – for dedication to all areas of SCMGA including but not limited to the IDEA Garden, the East Texas State Fair, Bulbs to Blooms, and any area where extra help is needed and always with a smile.
Helping Hand Award: awarded for willingness to lend a helping hand with projects whenever asked.
Lyn Benson – for taking on the position of the organization’s videographer and photographer for every event from the gardens to special community events like the Library Series, workshops and photos for the directory. She is always there with camera in hand!
Friend of the Master Gardener: awarded to an individual, company or business organization outside of the SCMG organization, who has provided money, facilities, advertising, publicity, and/or other kinds of support during the previous year.
CBS 19 – for inviting SCMGA to partner in hosting a weekly noon television program, “Mastering Your Garden”, with mini sessions taught by our own member volunteers.
Amanda Southard – for continuous support and care of our SCMGA program performing acts of true love any time any Master Gardener needs help, greeting us all with cheer and “sunshine”!
New Initiative Award: awarded to recognize new programs/projects that are successful, innovative and meet the criteria of Project of the Year.
Andie Rathbone – for eagerly volunteering to lead the new CBS 19 weekly noon gardening programs with leadership that included creating a schedule for weekly programs for a full year, training for those participating and managing the weekly appearances while staying in constant contact with the television station.
Golden Work Glove Award: awarded to recognize a master gardener for their hard work in the demonstration gardens above and beyond the normal volunteer requirements.
Debbie Taylor – for her leadership, teaching, managing the supplies of the greenhouse, constantly monitoring the greenhouse environment and providing creative ways to share the value of the greenhouse with the community.
Certificate of Appreciation: awarded to recognize help with a specific project or task.
Jeff Brown – for his dedication to the organization that includes maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting sprinkler system issues in all gardens of the TBG, repairs to the fountain in the Shade Garden, driving a frontend loader to spread crushed granite in the Shade Garden and removing weather kill of large plants and trees.
Martha Fowler – for her continuous dedication to our IDEA Garden, Overton, the Bulbs to Blooms Sale and so much more. She never stops learning and never stops contributing to our programs!
Terri Gerber – for her dedication and excessive hours as our treasurer and for serving as Conference Chair for the very successful SuperStar Advanced Training Conference.
Janie Fowler – for her dedication to the SCMGA Intern Program managing and encouraging Interns to complete their hours for certification in a timely manner with compassionate leadership.
President’s Award: awarded by the past president to an individual deemed to have been instrumental in assisting the past president during his/her term of office.
Mary Hamlin – for her dedication to SCMGA as a consistent, caring resource, answering last minute questions, providing historical data, responding to all things VMS and so much more but all of which provided invaluable support for 2022 President, Belinda Kromer, throughout 2022!
Agent’s Award: Awarded by the County Horticulture Agent for going above and beyond the call of duty in helping the agent meet his objectives.
Belinda Kromer comes from GREG
Milestone Awards: years of service in 5 year increments beginning with 15 years!
15 YEARS:
Harvey Collen – for 15 years of service as a Master Gardener. Harvey was certified with Class 13 in 2007.
Deborah Golden – for 15 years of service as a Master Gardener. Deborah was certified with Class 13 in 2007.
Cindy Harrington – for 15 years of service as a Master Gardener. Cindy was certified with Class 13 in 2007.
Jan Moch – for 15 years of service as a Master Gardener. Jan was certified with Class 13 in 2007.
20 YEARS:
Jack Quisenberry – for 20 years of service as a Master Gardener. Jack was certified with Class 8 in 2002.
25 YEARS:
Linda Scoggin – for 25 years of service as a Master Gardener. Linda was certified with Class 3 in 1997. With great pride, we honor her today!
Texas Master Gardener Association Awards for 2022
The following are the awards that Smith County Master Gardener Association received at the Texas Master Gardener Search for Excellence Awards Program in the Large Category (100-199). These awards reflect the hard work and quick adaptation of SCMGA despite COVID-19 throwing a wrench into every program. It proves there was nothing we couldn’t handle in 2021. We not only continued our mission of education, but also supported the public at a time when gardening interest took a large increase because of so many people being home. Congratulations to each and every Smith County Master Gardener and the AgriLife staff who gave us so much support. These awards are for all of us!
Youth (Other – non-Jr. MG)
2nd Place Nature Detective Camp
Workshop / Presentation
1st Place – Adult Summer Workshop
Written/Recorded Education
2nd Place – “Master Your Garden” CBS19 TV SPOTS
Research
3rd Place – East Texas Ornamental Plant Tests at Overton
Outstanding Master Gardener
1st Place -Elizabeth Waldrup
Outstanding Master Gardener Association
2nd Place – Smith County Master Gardeners