2025 KCMGA Annual Awards Program
On December 1, 2025, Kaufman County Master Gardeners held their annual awards program. This year, it was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Forney and featured a Thanksgiving-themed meal. President Dana Hunt welcomed members and guests. Members enjoyed a performance by the Kaufman Highschool Chior led by Ms. Stephanie Hardin. They were accompanied by Dr. Mideum Chung, the church’s service accompanist, on piano.
Kaufman County Extension Agent Tommy Phillips welcomed everyone and introduced our special guest, County Commissione, Precinct 2, Skeet Phillips. Phillips congratulated members on their accomplishments this year. Projects included gardens and a green house at the Poor Farm and a new native perennial garden at the entrance to the Kaufman County Resource Connection, which is located at the Trinity Valley Community College bulding at 800 Ed. Hall Drive. Master Gardeners contributed 3,082.10 volunteer hours this year. At the hourly volunteer rate set by the state, which is $34.79, the value of these hours was $107,226.26.
Assisted by President Dana Hunt, Phillips presented certificates for years of service and number of volunteer hours recorded for 2025. Click here to go to the photo gallery at the end of the page.
With mixed feelings, we bid farewell to our sponsor, Extension Agent Tommy Phillips, who is retiring this year after a 30-year career with Extension. We’re happy to wish him well in this new chapter of his life, but we will miss his support, his guidance, and his humor.
New officers for 2026 who were elected at the November 3, 2025 meeting were presented. They make up the Executive Committee responsible for overseeing the day- to-day operation of our organization. Returning as President and Vice President respectively are Dana Hunt and Shirley Strano. Our new secretary is Brenda Walker and Linda Redd is our new treasurer. Thank you all for agreeing tto serve in these important roles next year. Alsio, many thanks to our departing secretary Sandy Stahlman and treasurer Jim Burt. Both have served ably for three years in these positions. Also presented were non-voting members of the Executive Committee Zahn Schlensker, Parliamentarian, and Rebecca Morrow, Past President.
Years of Service/Volunteer Hours
Not pictured: Sandra Stahlman: 25 years, 97.75 hours; Frances Holmes, Emerita: 24 years; Hildegard Smith, Emerita: 22 years; Nancy Bowman, Emerita: 21 years; Judy Barton, Emerita: 16 years; Lisa Nalls: 16 years, 53 hours; Marline Ballard, Emerita: 14 years; Renee Roysdon, 10 years, 33.5 hours; Nancy Szabo: 10 years, 21.5 hours; Kris Kumar: 9 years, 70.25 hours; Angela Johnston: 8 years, 126.5 hours; Sheila Stein, 8 years; Amy Barber 6 years; Dorothy Dillon: 6 years, 38 hours; Sara Kramer: 2 years, 70.25 hours; Lynette Barker: 1 year, 73.25 hours;