The Senate of The State of Texas

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1091

 

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Texas Master Gardener program and its more than 10 years of serving the botanical and horticultural needs of Texans; and

WHEREAS, As the botanical and horticultural sciences are an esteemed vocation of many Texans and a cherished hobby for countless others, the Texas Master Gardener program is an important source of information for both expert and amateur gardeners alike; and

WHEREAS, The program started in 1978 at Texas A&M University as part of extension service training, and its early purpose was to provide expert volunteer assistance to county extension agents; but, by 1987, the Texas Cooperative Extension saw promise in the program and committed itself to its development; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Texas Master Gardener program offers ample horticultural and botanical instruction to a broad range of participants; graduates of the program complete 50 hours of training, which is then followed by 50 more hours of community service; and

WHEREAS, Master Gardeners perform myriad services for the community; tasks can involve anything from individual consultations with home gardeners to group presentations to garden clubs, civic groups, and other community organizations; the gardeners’ latest endeavor is to involve young people in a Junior Master Gardener program, an outreach effort to bring positive change to the state’s youngsters; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Master Gardener program has certified more than 4,235 Master Gardeners, who have dedicated 204,666 hours of service to Texas; their expertise, if not volunteered, would come with a $2.8 million price tag, the equivalent of 98 full-time employees; the Master Gardener program has made invaluable contributions to many Texas communities; the program’s efforts to beautify our great state, to educate citizens, and to encourage community involvement and civic pride are indeed worthy of the utmost praise; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 76th Legislature, hereby recognize and applaud the Master Gardener program; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of the Master Gardener program as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

 

Signed by President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 25, 1999

Signed by Secretary of the Senate

Signed by Steve Ogden, Member, Texas Senate
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