The Kaufman County Master Gardener Association held their annual award ceremony on December 7 at Alfredo’s Steakhouse in Forney. Kaufman County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agent Ralph Davis hosted the evening, with 48 Master Gardeners and guests attending. Also in attendance were County Commissioners Jimmy Vrzalik, Skeet Phillips and Kenneth Schoen.

Davis introduced the new Master Gardener intern, Renee Roysdon, who completed her training in 2015 and will begin her internship year in 2016. The association also welcomed Duddly Hargrove, a Master Gardener transferring from Dallas County.

This year, Master Gardeners contributed a total of 2,962 volunteer and training hours. At the Texas Comptroller’s set rate of $23.07 per hour, that is a benefit to the county of $68,333.34.

County Judge Bruce Wood was on hand to present service awards. Two Master Gardeners, Nancy Harris and Inez Williams, celebrated 10 years of service. Eleven Master Gardeners had over 100 hours of service in 2015: Marline Ballard, 104 hours; Judy Barton, 108.5 hours, Hilde Smith 114.25 hours; Rene Word, 120.5 hours; Frances Holmes, 128 hours; Dianne Kaufman, 132 hours; Jim Burt, 160.25 hours; Nancy Bowman, 193.75 hurs; Tamara Stahlman, 250 hours, Rebecca Morrow, 261.75 hours and Brad Ackerman, 282.25 hours.

Other accomplishments in 2015 included winning awards at the Texas Master Gardener State Convention in both categories that were submitted: first place in the Program category for the 2014 Spring Seminar, “Farming by the Yard” and second place in the Project category for “Monarch Butterfly Garden.”