Newly Certified Master Gardeners Enhance Fort Bend County's Horticultural Expertise and Community Outreach
The Fort Bend County Master Gardeners community has grown with the addition of 24 newly certified members, lauded in a recent celebration for their dedication and commitment to the local horticultural program. Garnering this esteemed certification demands dedication, with the 24 members accomplishing weeks of intensive classroom instruction and 50 hours of approved volunteer service.
"This is not the end of the journey," shared Ben Welch, president of the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, at the graduation celebration on June 4. "This is the beginning. We need you. You're the lifeblood of our Master Gardeners."
Boone Holladay, Fort Bend County Extension Agent Horticulture (left), presents Robyn Partridge of Richmond (right) her credentials, Becoming a Master Gardener involves a significant commitment. The journey begins with orientation, followed by rigorous classroom training over approximately three months. This classroom work, conducted primarily by Texas A&M professors and Extension specialists, equates to 60 hours of comprehensive training spread over a period of 12 weeks. To supplement this, Fort Bend County offers local classes to ensure diverse and detailed instruction.
Upon completion of the training, these Master Gardeners pledge their time as volunteers, sharing their horticultural expertise with the people of Fort Bend County through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office. Volunteer opportunities are varied, ranging from maintaining demonstration gardens and community outreach through small presentations to writing articles and maintaining a strong social media presence.
The Fort Bend County Master Gardeners was established in 1989, with the first graduating class of 24 Master Gardeners held in November of 1990. The organization's chief purpose, noted Peggy d'Hemecourt, Class of 2023 teaching assistant, is to "provide quality and relevant horticultural information to the people of Fort Bend County. We have the ability to expand the Extension's reach."
Earning the title of Texas Master Gardener signifies not just the successful completion of the rigorous training program, but also the fulfillment of 50 hours of approved volunteer service. This service, tailored to the needs, abilities, and interests of the Master Gardeners, can include answering telephone inquiries related to gardening, planting and caring for demonstration gardens, conducting workshops, and even assisting with news or radio releases related to gardening. Once certified, Gardeners are required to re-certify annually by satisfying minimum volunteer service and continuing education requirements.
Boone Holladay, Fort Bend County Extension Agent Horticulture, presents intern Joseph "Jody" Taylor of Rosenberg his credentials, Among the new Master Gardeners is Missouri City resident Shelly Beck, who shared diverse motivations among her classmates for joining the program: "Some wanted to improve their gardening skills; some wanted to show loved ones that they had gardening skills; some were new to Fort Bend County and wanted to know how to keep plants alive in this crazy environment; one classmate wanted to support her son in gardening with 4-H. Personally, I wanted to be able to tell people what to do and know I was right."
Aside from academic accomplishments, these new Master Gardeners have already made a positive impact on their community by contributing canned goods to the Richmond food bank during their graduation celebration. Attendees filled a table with canned goods, and the graduating class presented a $600 check to the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners.
Through their certification, these new Master Gardeners represent not only a personal accomplishment, but also a community resource for horticultural expertise and a testament to the continued growth and influence of the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners. To learn more about the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, visit fbmg.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
