WilCo Master Gardeners Presented State Awards

July 27, 2026

100 Wilco Way

State Board visits Monthly Association Meeting to present 3 awards to local Master Gardeners for excellent service projects in 2025! Before the 2^nd Monday of the month association meeting featuring Mariann Brown speaking on the mental health benefits of gardening, two special guests led the business portion: Louie McDaniel, Past President of TMGA, and Susan Blakey, President of the Texas Master Gardener Assoc. Ms. Blakey reports: “Rarely does an association of this size win so many state prizes”. Kudos to Kelly Linder, WilCo MG committee chairwoman over State Achievement Awards!

Award applications are due to State in January following the year competing projects are worked by Extension Volunteers. Judges are recruited from extension offices in other states, and winners are announced at the Texas Master Gardener Association annual convention in May. Williamson County presents awards once the plaques are finalized to the Master Gardener Project Leaders, who are the individuals making the applications using a rule guide. Our winners, projects, and placements follow:

• 2^nd Place: Francine Erickson- “Outstanding Individual” as Junior Master Gardener Coordinator of WCMGA and leader at the Husky Gardens project for pre-K through 5^th grade at LISD’s Pleasant Hill Elementary.
• 2^nd Place: Jerry Stauber- “Workshop Presentation” for creating a Texas Superstars plants Information/Education Booth.
• 1^st Place: Lora Ortiz for a “Written Recorded Educational Content” tri-fold brochure titled “Williamson County Master Gardeners’ Favorite Texas Superstars”.