By Jackie Sledge
Big Country Master Gardener Association
I recently wrote an article about the Big Country Master Gardener Association and the upcoming 2025 Intern Training Class, and now I want to add some additional information to it. I talked with several Master Gardeners and asked why they wanted to attend the Master Gardener Intern Training Class and what they like about being members of BCMGA. So here goes…
Master Gardener 1 went through the training class in 2002. She had always loved gardens, enjoyed gardening, and took advantage of gardening events to learn more. She stopped at the Master Gardener booth at the Home and Garden Show in 2002 and visited with Master Gardeners while looking at pots of herbs they were selling. Based on that contact, she applied to attend the Intern Training Class and became a Master Gardener that year. She has stayed in the Association since then because she likes being a Master Gardener, likes meeting other gardeners, enjoys attending the Intern Training Class and meeting the new Interns, continues to learn about plants and different ways to garden, branches out to try new things she learns, and likes working with her Master Gardener friends.
Master Gardener 2 attended the 2018 training class. He had a relative who was a Master Gardener, and she had encouraged him to apply to attend the class because she thought he would meet other gardener enthusiasts and enjoy the training. He already had an established landscape, a variety of plants he enjoyed, and was content with his gardens. Even though he learned a lot during the training class, he said he has continued to learn from other Master Gardeners and from the various education programs. He said the things he values the most are the friendships he has made and the added health benefits from working with his friends on the various projects.
Master Gardener 3 was in the 2021 training class. She had wanted to attend the Intern Training Class because she had more questions than answers about planting and gardening. Her indoor plants were wonderful, but the outside plants in her small garden were not great. She did not think she would know anyone in the class, but she put her uneasiness about that aside and applied to attend the class. It was great! She continues to learn and now knows it is okay if she kills a plant – she learns from that, too. She enjoys her time with other Master Gardeners, likes to hear other people’s stories, and enjoys hands-on experiences both in education classes and working on projects. Her favorite lesson is that we can all have different gardens, and that’s okay. They are all beautiful.
Master Gardener 4 was also in the 2021 training class. He had gardened in another area of the state, but it was very different from Abilene. He had known Master Gardeners in that area, and he knew they had a lot of knowledge he wanted to have, so he wanted to attend the training class here. He likes being a member of BCMGA because he enjoys the people and working with them on programs and projects. He wants to be part of making the world greener.
Master Gardener 5 attended the 2023 training class. She had moved to Texas and had no idea how to garden in the West Texas soil and weather conditions. Since she had heard about the Master Gardener program, she thought that would be a great place to learn. She likes everything about being a Master Gardener – the people and the learning she gets from programs and the people. She especially values the perspectives of other Master Gardeners.
I went through the Intern Training Class in 2011 because I enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, wanted to learn more about plants, wanted to learn how to keep plants alive, and hoped to gain valuable knowledge to use in my landscape. I didn’t think I knew any Master Gardeners, but it turned out I knew someone when I went to the first training session. The training was wonderful, and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know my fellow interns and other Master Gardeners. I have continued to learn during education programs and from working side-by-side with Master Gardeners, and this has helped me when answering questions from the public as well as when planning and working in my gardens. That has been very important; however, I must add that equally important has been the opportunity to develop friendships with Master Gardeners. We are there for each other not just horticulturally, but personally too.
Now back to the original questions about becoming a Master Gardener.
Do you like plants?
You can see we all do.
Do you like to work on gardening projects?
You can see we like to work on projects.
Do you enjoy learning about plants and gardening?
You can see we have all gone through the Intern Training Class and continue to enjoy learning more.
Would you like to meet and work with other gardeners?
You can see we all like to meet other gardeners and work with them. We value our gardening friends.
Would you like to learn more about gardening in the Big Country?
If you do, then this is the program for you. BCMGA wants you to be a part of the 2025 Intern Training Class and part of our Association.
Again, we need you. We are pleased to announce that registration for the 2025 Master Gardener Intern Training Class is now open, and applications must be received in the Taylor County Extension Office by January 22, 2025. Training classes will start on February 6, 2025, and will end on April 29, 2025. Information about the training and the application form is available on the Big Country Master Gardener Association Facebook page and on our website at bcmgtx.org. You can also contact the Extension Office at 325-672-6048 to get information about the training as well as to request an application.
IMPORTANT: We want to meet you and answer any questions you might have, so please attend the following.
WHAT: Meet and Greet Opportunity for anyone interested in the Master Gardener Intern Training Class
WHEN: 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025
WHERE: Big Country Hall on the Expo Grounds (in the building by the Taylor County Extension Office)
I mentioned other training opportunities, and BCMGA offers several education programs each month. There is a program at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the South Library Branch in the Mall of Abilene, and the same program is offered again at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Friday of the month at the Downtown Library. Watch the BCMGA website and Facebook page for the topics and dates of these monthly programs. There are also Saturday Seminars on the last Saturday of the month from February through August at 9:00 a.m. in the Taylor County Extension Office Conference Room.
If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at mgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you visit bcmgtx.org for information on all Big Country Master Gardener events, like us on BCMGA Facebook, and check out training presentations on BCMGA YouTube. We are here to help you.
