On September 23rd – 25th, the Smith County Master Gardener Association sponsored advanced education certification training for Texas Superstar plants. This is a statewide training extended to every Master Gardener Association in the State of Texas.

Attendance & Certification Requirements

Forty-three master gardeners from 26 counties in Texas attended the event. These attendees completed the education part of the certification through a 3-day lecture and garden tour program. They will go back to their corresponding counties and work with their county agents to complete the 20-hour additional requirement to complete the certification.

Location & Key Speakers

The training was held in Tyler, TX at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. Three Certified Superstar Speakers provided the lectures for the training including: Dr. Greg Grant, Dr. Andrew King, and Horticultural Agent Specialist, Paul Winski.

Botanical Garden Tour

The final day of training included a two-hour tour of the Tyler Botanical Garden, where the attendees were able to see many of the Superstar plants they learned about in person.

Local Sponsors & Support

Many local sponsors provided support and door prizes for the attendees at the training. Those included: David Austin Roses, Dory’s Garden and Boutique, Atwoods, Bralys Ace Hardware in Whitehouse, TX, Donovan’s Downtown in Henderson, TX, In the Wind, Northern Tool & Equipment, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Steeles Feed & Seed, The Potpourri House, Tractor Supply, and the Smith County Master Gardener Association Seed Bank.

Vendor Hour & Entertainment

A dinner with a vendor hour was also offered as part of the training. The vendors who participated in that event were: Dory’s Garden and Boutique, Mary’s Heirloom Seeds, East Texas Bee Keepers Association, The Glass Muse-Fused Glass Art, and Smith County Master Gardener Association Books, Garden Guide / Calendars, and entertainment by Guitarist, Randy York.

Event Summary

The training included lectures, meals, information sharing among the master gardeners from all parts of the state, and a perfect day in the garden for a tour. Thanks to all those who attended, all those who contributed in any way to the training, and those special speakers who provided exceptional lectures.